US President Joe Biden said on Saturday that progress had been made on securing a so-called "humanitarian pause" in the fighting between Israel and Hamas, AFP reported.
When asked if any progress had been made on the issue, Biden replied "yes" as he left a church in Delaware. He did not provide further details.
On Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was visiting Israel, said at a press conference that more needs to be done to protect civilians in Gaza. He pushed for “humanitarian pauses” in the fighting to facilitate delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and the potential release of hostages being held by Hamas.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later made clear that Israel will not agree to a ceasefire in Gaza without the release of the hostages being held by Hamas.
“The goal of our enemies is the destruction of the State of Israel. I tell you, and I tell them - our enemies will fail. They will be defeated. We will not let up until victory, until the goals we set are achieved - the elimination of Hamas, the return of our hostages and the return of security to our citizens and our children,” he stated.