AP, Reuters
US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
CNN
—
President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later Thursday morning to discuss progress on the hostage issue and the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, White House and Israeli government officials told CNN.
A White House official said Vice President Kamala Harris was expected to join the call.
The call came as Israel and Hamas appear to be close to agreeing on a framework for a deal, an Israeli source familiar with the negotiations told CNN. Hamas recently provided its response to the framework to Qatari and Egyptian intermediaries, which Israeli officials believe will allow the two sides to enter into detailed negotiations to reach an agreement. But no deal is yet finalized or certain.
CNN previously reported that the US recently proposed new language to bridge the gap in talks towards a deal. The proposed language focused on the duration of the first phase of the proposal, during which Israel and Hamas are expected to hold further negotiations with the aim of moving to the second phase of the deal.
U.S. officials say the response appears constructive but that more work needs to continue.
An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media, also told CNN that Netanyahu will convene a cabinet meeting on Thursday evening.
Biden and Netanyahu last met on May 6. A source familiar with the matter told CNN’s MJ Lee that the two are scheduled to meet in a few weeks when the Israeli prime minister visits Washington to address Congress. The source said U.S. and Israeli officials are still finalizing the logistical details of a meeting between Biden and Netanyahu, likely to take place at the White House. Barring a last-minute change in circumstances, the two leaders are set to meet.
The call comes as Biden is fighting for his own political survival back home after being defeated by former President Donald Trump in a debate last week. His handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict remains a key concern for many Democrats, including younger voters.
