In a pivotal development, U.S. President Joe Biden is set to engage in a crucial conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this Sunday, marking their first dialogue since Biden criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza as “over the top.”
Amidst the escalating tensions, Biden, currently at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, is scheduled to speak with Netanyahu on Sunday morning, according to White House officials. Netanyahu, in a recent appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” revealed that he has not communicated with Biden since the contentious comment and expressed uncertainty about its meaning.
Sources familiar with the upcoming call suggest that the discussion will primarily focus on the urgent mission to secure the release of the 132 remaining Israeli hostages held by the Islamist militant group Hamas in Gaza.
Addressing the issue in an interview on ABC’s “This Week,” Netanyahu emphasized the significance of their efforts, stating, “enough to warrant the kind of efforts that we’re doing.”
As the Gaza conflict unfolds, health authorities in the region estimate that approximately 28,000 Palestinians, primarily civilians, have lost their lives since the conflict began in October. Palestinian health authorities highlight that around 70% of these casualties are women or children under 18. The World Health Organization, endorsing the Palestinian Health Ministry’s reporting system, deems it “very good,” with U.N. agencies regularly citing its death toll figures.
The roots of the current crisis trace back to an Oct. 7 assault by Hamas gunmen, resulting in the death of 1,200 Israelis and the return of approximately 250 hostages to Gaza, triggering a surge in the conflict. The forthcoming conversation between Biden and Netanyahu holds significant implications for the evolving situation, with the focus on diplomatic efforts to navigate through the complex web of tensions in the region.
