Biden discussed closing remaining gaps in hostage deal with Netanyahu — White House

WASHINGTON — US President Joe Biden in his meeting earlier today with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “expressed the need to close the remaining gaps” in the negotiations for a hostage release and ceasefire agreement in order to bring about “a durable end to the war in Gaza,” the White House says.

Biden “also raised the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the need to remove any obstacles to the flow of aid and restoring basic services for those in need and the critical importance of protecting civilian lives during military operations,” a White House statement says.

The president “reaffirmed the US ironclad commitment to Israel’s security against all threats from Iran and its proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis,” it says.

Netanyahu’s office has not yet issued a statement on the meeting.