US President Joe Biden spoke on Tuesday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the latest developments in Israel and Gaza, the White House said.
“The President and the Prime Minister discussed at length ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, including many children and a number of Americans,” the White House statement said.
The call took place after a senior Israeli political source told ABC News that progress has been made on a deal to free hostages being held by Hamas, adding a breakthrough could come in the next 48-72 hours.
The Israeli War Cabinet will be meeting Tuesday night to discuss the deal, the source said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Biden stated that he believes a deal to free the hostages who have been held by Hamas in Gaza since October 7 is going to happen.
During a press briefing on his administration's climate change policies, Biden was asked if he could comment on a possible deal to free the hostages.
"Yes, I can. I've been talking with the people involved every single day. I believe it's gonna happen, but I don't wanna get into detail," he replied.
When asked if he had a message for the families of" hostages, the President said, "Hang in there. We're coming."
Meanwhile on Tuesday, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit confirmed that IDF had launched “a precise and targeted operation against Hamas in a specified area in the Shifa Hospital.”
“The IDF is conducting a ground operation in Gaza to defeat Hamas and rescue our hostages. Israel is at war with Hamas, not with the civilians in Gaza,” the IDF statement said.
The operation inside the hospital came hours after White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters that the US has independent intelligence showing that the Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorist organizations have been using the Shifa Hospital to conduct their military operations, and among other things, are storing weapons at the hospital.