Biden, Netanyahu discuss Gaza negotiations
TEL AVIV — The White House on Sunday said President Biden had again spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as pressure builds on Israel and Hamas to reach a deal that would free some hostages and bring a cease-fire in the nearly seven-month war in Gaza.
The White House said Biden reiterated his “clear position” as Israel plans to invade Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah despite global concern for the more than 1 million Palestinians sheltering there.
On the phone call, which lasted nearly an hour, Biden stressed that progress in the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip be “sustained and enhanced,” according to the statement. The two leaders agreed that the onus remains on Hamas to accept the latest offer in cease-fire negotiations, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
There was no comment from Netanyahu’s office.
Meanwhile, a senior official from key intermediary Qatar urged Israel and Hamas to show “more commitment and more seriousness” in negotiations.
Working alongside the U.S. and Egypt, Qatar was instrumental in negotiating a halt to the fighting in November that led to the release of dozens of hostages. But in a sign of frustration, Qatar, which hosts Hamas’ headquarters in Doha, this month said it was reassessing its role.
An Israeli delegation is expected in Egypt in the coming days to continue negotiations; senior Hamas official Basem Naim told the Associated Press that a delegation from the militant group will also head to Cairo.
In interviews with Israeli daily Haaretz and public broadcaster Kan that were released Saturday evening, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed alAnsari expressed disappointment with Hamas and Israel, saying each side has made decisions based on political interests and not with civilians’ welfare in mind. He didn’t reveal details on the talks other than to say they have “effectively stopped,” with “both sides entrenched in their positions.”
Negotiations this month centered on a six-week cease-fire proposal and the freeing of 40 civilian and sick hostages held by Hamas in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
Hamas in recent days has released videos of three hostages, an apparent push for Israel to make concessions.
The pressure for a ceasefire deal is also meant to avert an Israeli attack on Rafah. Israel has amassed dozens of tanks and armored vehicles in the area.
“Only a small strike is all it takes to force everyone to leave Palestine,” Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas asserted Sunday to the opening session of the World Economic Forum in Saudi Arabia, adding that he believed an invasion would happen within days.
But White House national security spokesman John F. Kirby told ABC that Israel “assured us they won’t go into Rafah until we’ve had a chance to really share our ... concerns with them. So we’ll see where that goes.”
The Israeli troop buildup may be a pressure tactic on Hamas in talks. Israel, which has vowed to destroy Hamas’ military and governing capabilities, sees Rafah as the group’s last major stronghold.
The war was sparked by Hamas’ attack Oct. 7, which killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli authorities, who say roughly 240 were taken hostage. Hamas and other groups are holding about 130 hostages, including the remains of about 30, Israeli authorities say.
Israel’s assault on Hamas has killed more than 34,000 people, most of them women and children, according to health authorities in Gaza, who do not distinguish between civilians and combatants in their tally.