President Biden spoke out about Israel's killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the architect of the Oct. 7, 2023 attack that sparked a year of war and renewed tensions between the leaders. congratulated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In remarks to reporters upon his arrival in Berlin, Biden expressed hope for the ceasefire in Gaza and said the war would end “soon.” He added that he would send Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Israel for talks.
“Now is the time to move forward. I want us to move forward and move towards a ceasefire in Gaza and make sure that we move towards being in a position to make things better for the whole world,” the president said.
“It's time to end this war and bring the hostages home. That's what we're preparing for. And we're going to send Tony Blinken to Israel…I talked to Bibi about that. We're going to work on it.” What will happen, what will happen the next day? How do we secure Gaza and move forward? ”
Biden called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while en route to Germany on Air Force One. The two leaders used the moment to discuss how to move forward with the release of the 101 hostages abducted by Hamas on Oct. 7 and held in the Gaza Strip, “and Israel's They reportedly discussed ways to end the war while ensuring safety. Then Hamas will never be able to control Gaza again. ”
“The two countries have agreed to maintain close contact in the coming days, both directly and through their national security teams,” the White House said in a statement.
a statement A statement from the Israeli prime minister's office made no mention of ending the war, but said the two leaders had agreed to “work together” to advance the release of the hostages. In previously recorded public remarks, Netanyahu said the war was “not over yet.”
“Dear people of Israel, we are in a war of rebirth. Great challenges still lie ahead. What is required of us is great strength of mind, unity of ranks, courage and resoluteness. . We will fight together and with God's help, we will win together,” he said.
These statements appeared to signal a rift between Israel and the Biden administration regarding next steps. The Biden administration has indicated it intends to pursue a “next day” scenario that would step up efforts to free the hostages, scale back Israeli military operations, and establish a new government in the Strip.
“There is an opportunity for a 'next day' in Gaza where Hamas does not take over and a political settlement that provides a better future for both Israelis and Palestinians,” Biden said in a statement early Thursday.
—Updated at 5:05 p.m.
