Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Qatar says Biden and emir discussed efforts to broker permanent ceasefire in Gaza
US President Joe Biden, right, shakes hands with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in the Oval Office of the White House, January 31, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
US President Joe Biden phoned Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to discuss the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, according to a statement carried by the Gulf monarchy’s official news agency.
The statement says the two talked about “joint mediation efforts to calm the situation and reach a permanent ceasefire,” among other topics.
There is no immediate readout from the White House.
