UPDATED: Biden calls for 'significant de-escalation' in call with Netanyahu
Source: The Hill
BY MORGAN CHALFANT - 05/19/21 10:01 AM EDT
President Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday that he expects a “significant de-escalation” in the violence between Israel and Hamas to put the two sides on a path to a ceasefire, according to the White House.
“The two leaders had a detailed discussion on the state of events in Gaza, Israel’s progress in degrading the capabilities of Hamas and other terrorist elements, and ongoing diplomatic efforts by regional governments and the United States,” the White House said in a readout of the call between the two leaders. “The President conveyed to the Prime Minister that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire.”
Wednesday was the first time that Biden set a deadline on when he would like to see a reduction in violence, which has persisted in the Middle East for more than a week and led to Israeli and Palestinian civilian deaths. Biden has previously expressed support for a ceasefire in the region, after officials stopped short of doing so publicly.
--Developing
Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/554289-biden-calls-for-significant-de-escalation-in-call-with-netanyahu
UPDATE:
Biden tells Netanyahu he expects 'a significant de-escalation today' with path toward cease-fire
Deirdre Shesgreen
USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – In his most forceful statement yet on the Israel-Gaza conflict, President Joe Biden told Israel's prime minister he expects "a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire," the White House said on Wednesday.
Biden has been quietly ramping up pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in recent days to end Israel's bombardment of Hamas targets in Gaza — amid mounting international alarm over the rising death toll and growing demands from Democrats in Congress for a cease-fire.
The White House said Biden and Netanyahu spoke Wednesday and the two leaders "had a detailed discussion on the state of events in Gaza, Israel’s progress in degrading the capabilities of Hamas and other terrorist elements, and ongoing diplomatic efforts by regional governments and the United States."
The two men spoke after Israeli widened its strikes on Hamas targets, killing at least six people across the Gaza Strip and destroying the home of an extended family early Wednesday.
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https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/05/19/biden-says-he-expects-significant-de-escalation-today-gaza/5162735001/
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