US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the ongoing ceasefire and hostages release negotiations in Gaza during a phone call on Sunday, according to Reuters. Biden, who will leave office on January 20, received updates from Netanyahu on the progress of the ceasefire talks being mediated in Doha. Netanyahu also informed Biden about the terms set by the Israeli delegation.
Earlier on Sunday, Biden’s National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, indicated that a deal was “very close,” though no agreement had been finalized yet. He attributed the delay to the continued intransigence of the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Sullivan also emphasized that the Biden administration was committed to pursuing a resolution, stating, “We are still determined to use every day we have in office to get this done and we are not, by any stretch of imagination, setting this aside.”
Sullivan confirmed that President Biden had been receiving regular updates on the talks in Doha.
Regarding the release of US hostages, Vice President-elect JD Vance told Fox News on Saturday that a deal might be announced in the final days of Biden’s presidency. Vance added that any such agreement would be driven by the belief that there would be consequences for Hamas, aligning with rhetoric from President-elect Donald Trump, who has emphasized an aggressive stance toward the group.
Trump, who is set to take office soon, has promised to bring peace to the Middle East, although he has not yet outlined a specific plan. His incoming Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, is also involved in the Doha negotiations, where the US, Egypt, and Qatar are mediating between Israel and Hamas.
