From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Netanyahu thanks Biden, Trump for help securing hostage deal
Amy Spiro is a reporter and writer with The Times of Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is speaking separately with both US President-elect Donald Trump and US President Joe Biden to thank them for their help in securing a ceasefire-hostage release deal, his office says.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu thanks Trump for his “help in advancing the release of the hostages and helping Israel to bring an end to the suffering of dozens of hostages and their families.”
Netanyahu also thanks the incoming US president for his comments earlier today that Gaza will “NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven.” The pair agreed to meet soon in Washington, the PMO says.
The prime minister spoke as well with Biden and “also thanked him for his help in advancing the hostage deal.”
The announcement from the PMO is Netanyahu’s first public confirmation that Israel has accepted a US and Qatari-brokered ceasefire-hostage release deal, expected to come into effect on Sunday.
The Times of Israel Community.