Israel Biden praises new attempt at ceasefire talks for Gaza Strip

US President Joe Biden welcomes the dispatch of a negotiating team authorized by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for further talks on a ceasefire in the Gaza war. Biden spoke with Netanyahu about the status of the negotiations, which are also about the release of hostages held by the Islamist Hamas, the White House announced.

"President Biden reaffirmed his steadfast commitment to Israel's security, even in the face of threats from Iran-backed terrorist groups like Lebanon's Hezbollah," it continued. A meeting of key advisers to Biden and Netanyahu is also planned for July 15, the White House said.

The negotiations mediated by the USA, Egypt and Qatar on an end to the Gaza war have recently reached an impasse due to the diverging views of Israel and Hamas on the goal of the negotiations. On Wednesday, the Islamists sent the mediators what they described as a proposal with "some ideas". Israel then declared that it would examine the proposal.

SDA