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.
Is our live election coverage important to you?
Are you relying on The Times of Israel for accurate and timely coverage of the 2026 Israeli election? If so, please join The Times of Israel Community. For as little as $6/month, you will:
- Support our independent journalists who are working around the clock to report political developments as they unfold;
- Read ToI with a clear, ads-free experience on our site, apps and podcasts; and
- Gain access to exclusive content shared only with the ToI Community, including our DocuNation streaming film series and weekly letters from founding editor David Horovitz.
Join The Times of Israel Community
JOIN NOW
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
You're a dedicated reader
We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.
That’s why we started the Times of Israel - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you,
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
Join Our Community
Join Our Community
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this