Biden, Netanyahu Hold White House Meeting as Gaza War Rages On 👉 Updatem News

President Joe Biden hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House the day after the Israeli leader addressed a joint session of Congress.

President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met at the White House on July 25 for a one-on-one meeting to discuss the ongoing Israel–Hamas war and U.S.–Israel relations.

The meeting came a day after Mr. Netanyahu addressed a joint session of Congress for the fourth time in his career. The Israeli leader began his July 24 speech by thanking President Biden for his support thus far in the nearly 10-month conflict, which began after Hamas attacked several communities across southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing more than 1,000 people and taking around 250 hostages.

During his congressional address, Mr. Netanyahu called for Israel and the United States to continue to “stand together” as the war continues.

The two leaders offered a brief comment to members of the press on Thursday afternoon before commencing their meeting.

“Mr. President, we’ve known each other for over 40 years, and you’ve known every Israeli prime minister for 50 years, from Golda Meir. So, from a proud Jewish Zionist to a proud Irish American Zionist, I want to thank you for 50 years of public service and 50 years of support for the state of Israel,” Mr. Netanyahu said. “I look forward to discussing with you today and working with you in the months ahead on the great issues before us.”

“I look forward to it as well,” President Biden replied.

Ahead of their meeting, a senior administration official said President Biden planned to reiterate “his ironclad commitment to Israel’s security” during his meeting with Mr. Netanyahu and that the two would discuss the threat posed by Iran and “Iranian proxy and terrorist groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah, [and] the Houthis.”

The senior administration official said the meeting would cover U.S. efforts to ensure Israel’s defensive capabilities.

The administration official said the Biden administration also expects an in-depth discussion about a potential breakthrough in negotiations for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and the release of the hostages Hamas is holding. The Biden administration has repeatedly signaled new progress in these cease-fire and hostage negotiations in recent days, but Mr. Netanyahu made no specific mention of the ongoing negotiations during his address before Congress on Wednesday.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Original News Source Link – Epoch Times

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