Biden, Netanyahu discuss prisoner swap talks in new call
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Biden and Netanyahu "reviewed ongoing talks to secure the release of hostages together with an immediate ceasefire in Gaza," a press release by the White House read.
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The White House is seen as dusk falls, April 14, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The White House on Sunday said that US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone call to discuss the ongoing mediated negotiations with Hamas regarding Israeli captives in Gaza.
Biden and Netanyahu "reviewed ongoing talks to secure the release of hostages together with an immediate ceasefire in Gaza," a press release read.
They "also discussed increases in the delivery of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, including through preparations to open new northern crossings starting this week."
"The President stressed the need for this progress to be sustained and enhanced in full coordination with humanitarian organizations," it said.
Read more: Large number of fronts is a problem for 'Israel': ex-Shin Bet chief
The extent of the devastation and humanitarian catastrophe caused by the Israeli regime has led many organizations worldwide to condemn these actions and the US sponsorship of the Gaza genocide.
In an attempt to restore its moral credibility, the US has been pushing for a change of direction in Israeli policy to avert the advent of a massacre of disproportionate magnitude in Rafah.
But despite disputes, several analysts have convened over the past months that such measures are merely aimed at maintaining "Israel's" international credibility and that a ceasefire would not truly be made in favor of civilians in Gaza.
The White House statement which was issued today detailed that Biden "reiterated his clear position" on a potential ground invasion in Rafah.
Read more: An Israeli invasion of Rafah would mean a new Nakba: Abbas
Earlier this month, Netanyahu claimed that a date for the Rafah aggression had been set, but Security Minister Yoav Gallant later debunked these statements during a visit to Washington, Axios said in a report.
The US has issued several calls for the regime to annul the ground offensive in Rafah unless it presents a feasible plan to evacuate civilians.
Meanwhile, the regime continues to be engulfed by weekly protests led by the families of captives in Gaza.
While the Qatari-mediated negotiations seem to have reached a stall, questions are still being raised over "Israel's" inability to reach its goals.
An op-ed published by the Israeli newspaper Maariv earlier this month detailed that "Israel should declare the end of the war because it truly lost."
