US President Joe Biden spoke with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani about Gaza and they agreed that efforts to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas were key to securing a longer pause in fighting, the White House says.
“Both leaders affirmed that a hostage deal is central to establishing a prolonged humanitarian pause in the fighting and ensure additional life-saving humanitarian assistance reaches civilians in need throughout Gaza,” according to a readout of the call.
Both leaders also “committed to staying engaged until all hostages are reunited with their families and reaffirmed their shared vision of a peaceful, secure, and integrated Middle East region,” the statement says.
Biden’s Middle East adviser Brett McGurk was in Doha this week for discussions about the possibility of another hostage deal between Israel and Hamas.
White House spokesperson John Kirby said on Tuesday the US would support a longer humanitarian pause in combat in Gaza to ensure hostages could be released and aid brought in.
Biden also spoke with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi earlier.
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