WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday morning. A potential ground attack on Rafah looms and such as negotiating a ceasefire A stalemate between Hamas and Israel.
The call from the White House said Biden briefed Netanyahu on “efforts to secure an agreement on the hostages,” including through talks in Doha, Qatar, on Monday.
“The Prime Minister has agreed to keep the Kerem Shalom crossing open for humanitarian aid to those in need. The President reiterated his clear position on Rafah,” the White House said.
Oxu.Az reports that the two leaders discussed the Holocaust Remembrance Day or Yom HaShoah, which will be held on Monday.
Biden and Netanyahu discussed Israel’s and the United States’ commitment to remember the six million Jews who were systematically targeted and killed in the Holocaust, one of the darkest chapters in human history, and to act forcefully against anti-Semitism and all forms of hatred. – encouraged violence,” the reading reads.
Before the call, the spokesman of the National Security Council said that he would touch on possible military operations in Rafah.
“We cannot talk about Israeli military operations,” the spokesman said. “We have made clear to the Israeli government our views on the massive ground invasion of Rafah, and the president will speak with the prime minister today. We continue to believe that a hostage deal is the best way to protect the lives of the hostages and avoid the occupation of Rafah, where more than a million people have taken refuge. These negotiations are currently ongoing.” .
The call came during weekend ceasefire talks appeared making no progress. The director of the CIA was William Burns He is expected to go to Israel Monday for further talks after attending talks in the Qatari capital Doha on Monday, a source familiar with the matter told NBC News.
He traveled to Doha for an emergency meeting with Qatar’s prime minister to see if talks could resume after the stalled talks in Cairo. The Israeli prime minister’s office accused Hamas of “not budging even one millimeter from its extreme demands that no government in Israel can accept.”
Pressure is growing for a long-term ceasefire in Rafah as Israel takes steps that suggest a ground offensive may be imminent. According to the Israel Defense Forces, during the night, flyers were dropped in eastern Rafah urging people to move to humanitarian areas. The IDF estimated that 100,000 people had to be evacuated from the area on Sunday.
Biden and his administration have warned Israel against launching a military operation in Rafah.
Biden and Netanyahu’s call also fell on Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. A group representing the families of hostages held in Gaza called on Israel’s prime minister to ignore any political pressure from far-right members of his government to disagree with Hamas.
“Today, on the eve of Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day, we want to remind you, ‘Never again,’ as you promise every year. You should ignore all political pressure,” said a statement from the headquarters of the Hostage Families Forum.
“It is time to bring back all 132 people held by the terrorist monsters of Hamas – those who live for rehabilitation and those who were killed for burial,” he said. “Mr. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, history will not forgive you if you miss this opportunity, because the return of the hostages is a necessary condition for national healing, salvation and revival.”
The Yael Factor, David Rohde, Raf Sanchez, Gael Fobes and Gabe Gutierrez contributed.