Biden and Netanyahu discuss hostages as talks progress

Washington said the two “discussed the fundamentally changed regional circumstances following the ceasefire deal in Lebanon, the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, and the weakening of Iran’s power in the region.”

Biden “stressed the immediate need for a ceasefire in Gaza and return of the hostages with a surge in humanitarian aid enabled by a stoppage in the fighting under the deal,” the U.S. readout continued.

The Israeli leader was also said to have expressed gratitude to Biden for “his lifelong support of Israel and for the extraordinary support from the United States for Israel’s security and national defense.”

According to the PMO, Netanyahu “thanked President Biden and President-elect Donald Trump for cooperating in this sacred mission.”

“The prime minister discussed with the American president the progress in the negotiations to release our hostages and updated him on the mandate he gave to the negotiating team to Doha in order to advance the release of our hostages,” the statement from Jerusalem added…