US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who have remained in regular contact since the start of the fighting against Hamas on October 7, spoke once again on Wednesday.
A statement from the White House said Biden and Netanyahu “discussed developments in Gaza as well as ongoing efforts to locate and secure the release of hostages to include American citizens we believe are held by Hamas.”
“They also reviewed ongoing discussions to ensure safe passage for foreign nationals wishing to depart Gaza as soon as possible,” according to the statement.
“The President discussed ongoing US support for the continuous flow of humanitarian support to the civilian population in Gaza and welcomed efforts to increase this support over the coming period. The President reiterated that Israel has every right and responsibility to defend its citizens from terrorism and to do so in a manner consistent with international humanitarian law,” the White House said.
“He also noted the importance of focusing on what comes after this crisis to include a pathway for a permanent peace between Israelis and Palestinians, emphasizing that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people or their legitimate aspirations.”
Finally, the statement said, the two “agreed to remain in regular consultation both directly and through their respective national security teams.”
Biden and Netanyahu previously spoke on Monday, hours after the release of Nurit Cooper and Yocheved Lifshitz by Hamas.
The two also spoke on Sunday, after which the White House said the two “affirmed that there will now be continued flow” of critical assistance into Gaza.
Before Wednesday’s conversation, Biden commented on the war between Israel and Hamas and said that the status quo before the war could not continue.
"Israelis and Palestinians equally deserve to live side by side, in safety, dignity, and peace. There's no going back to the status quo as it stood on October 6th. That means ensuring Hamas can no longer terrorize Israel and Palestinian civilians as human shields. It also means that when this crisis is over, there has to be a vision of what comes next, and in our view, it has to be a two-state solution. It means a concentrated effort from all the parties, Israelis, Palestinians, regional partners, global leaders, to put us on a path toward peace," said Biden.