President Biden is set to speak with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on Sunday to discuss the potential for a cease-fire deal to secure the release of remaining hostages held since the Hamas-led terrorist attack on Oct. 7. This news comes from two officials with direct knowledge of the plan.
The call between Mr. Biden and the prime minister will take place shortly after Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken departed Washington for his latest trip to the Middle East. Mr. Blinken’s itinerary includes stops in Saudi Arabia, where he will meet with Egyptian and Qatari officials who have been acting as intermediaries in the cease-fire and hostage negotiations that have hit a roadblock in recent weeks.
While in the region, Mr. Blinken is expected to visit Israel, although the State Department has not released a detailed schedule beyond his stop in Saudi Arabia. The secretary has played a crucial role in the Biden administration’s efforts to broker a peace agreement, increase humanitarian aid, and secure the release of over 100 hostages believed to still be in Gaza.
The upcoming call between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu follows a conversation three weeks ago in which Mr. Biden warned that he would reconsider his support for Israel’s military actions unless more efforts were made to provide aid to Gaza and minimize civilian casualties. Since then, humanitarian assistance to Gaza has seen a significant increase, with Biden administration officials acknowledging Israel’s response to the president’s demands, although they note that more aid is still required.
While Israel has withdrawn some forces from southern Gaza, plans for a major assault on the city of Rafah, where a large number of Palestinians have sought refuge, are still in motion. Biden administration officials have expressed concerns about these plans, prompting Israeli officials to promise further consultation with their American counterparts.
The proposed cease-fire deal, sponsored by the U.S., would involve Israel halting hostilities for six weeks and releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the freedom of 40 hostages held by Hamas, particularly women, elderly individuals, and those with health issues. Subsequent phases of the agreement would extend the cease-fire and lead to the release of more hostages.
As tensions remain high in the region, the upcoming conversation between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu holds significant importance in the ongoing efforts to secure peace and stability in the Middle East.
