US President Joe Biden says the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was not helpful for a ceasefire in Israel’s war with the Gaza terror group.
Israel has been widely blamed for the assassination but has neither confirmed nor denied having a hand in it.
Biden says that in his direct conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier on Thursday he urged him to quickly reach a deal for the release of the hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza.
“We have the basis for a ceasefire. He should move on it and they should move on it now,” Biden says of Netanyahu.
He adds that he is “very concerned” about the soaring tensions in the Middle East.
He makes the comments at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, where a plane carrying detainees released by Russia landed late on Thursday.
Times of Israel Staff contributed to this report.
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From the Liveblog of
Friday, August 2, 2024
