Biden calls Netanyahu and Washington still opposes the ceasefire in Gaza News

The White House said that US President Joe Biden discussed, on Friday, in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, developments in Israel and Gaza, amid reports of disagreements between them regarding the conduct of the war in the Strip and the stage that will follow.

The White House added – in a statement – that Biden discussed with Netanyahu the ongoing efforts regarding the “hostages” and the transformation of the military operation in Gaza, and they also discussed Israel’s responsibility in limiting the damage to civilians in the Strip.

The statement stated that the US President welcomed Israel’s decision to allow flour to be shipped directly to the Palestinian people, noting that the conversation also addressed the progress made to ensure the availability of revenues for the Palestinian Authority to pay salaries.

The White House also said that President Biden assured Netanyahu of his strong conviction in the possibility of implementing the two-state solution, and that he believes that the long-term solution is the establishment of a free and independent Palestinian state.

The call comes a day after Netanyahu made statements in which he reiterated his rejection of the establishment of a Palestinian state under the principle of the “two-state solution.” It also comes in light of the Israeli Prime Minister’s failure to respond to American calls to reduce military operations in Gaza.

The last phone call between Biden and Netanyahu dates back to December 23, and witnessed a heated discussion between Biden and Netanyahu. According to the American press, the American president ended the call by saying, “This conversation is over.”

In a press conference in which he touched on the new phone conversation between the US President and the Israeli Prime Minister, Strategic Communications Coordinator at the US National Security Council John Kirby said that Washington’s approach to the conflict is bearing fruit as Israel begins to move to less severe operations in Gaza, stressing that the United States still It opposes a complete ceasefire in the Strip.

Kirby added that his country is holding serious talks to reach a second agreement to release detainees in Gaza.

Biden’s patience is running out

Meanwhile, the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that US President Joe Biden’s patience is beginning to run out due to the actions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which are causing frustration in the White House, and the feeling that he does not place the return of prisoners in Gaza at the top of the list of priorities.

The newspaper said that the US administration’s frustration was due to the long duration of the war in Gaza and Netanyahu’s refusal to discuss the day after its end.

She added that American officials advised Biden to express his lack of confidence in Netanyahu, because he is prolonging the war for personal motives and is interested in extending it despite fear for the lives of families. They also called on him to publicly disavow him and declare that he has lost confidence in him, while emphasizing confidence in Israel and its people, according to what was stated in the newspaper’s report. .

Yedioth Ahronoth said that Biden is hesitant about how to push Netanyahu to seek to end the war in Gaza.

For its part, the Associated Press reported a comment by Communications Coordinator Kirby on the Israeli Prime Minister’s rejection of US calls to reduce the Israeli military attack on the Gaza Strip and take steps towards establishing a Palestinian state after the war.

Kirby added, “It is clear that Washington sees the matter differently,” referring to the Israeli position

The agency stated that the tension between Netanyahu and the Biden administration reflects the widespread disagreement between the two allies regarding the scope of the war and Tel Aviv’s plans for the future of the Gaza Strip.