Biden and Netanyahu Discuss Possibility of 'Temporary Halt' to Israeli Attacks on Gaza

According to a White House spokesperson, Joe Biden, the President of the United States, and Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, discussed the possibility of a tactical halt to attacks on Gaza for humanitarian reasons and the potential release of hostages on Monday. Reuters reported that John Kirby, the White House spokesperson, said that the U.S. and Israeli governments continue to discuss a temporary halt to the attacks, and Biden and Netanyahu agreed to continue negotiations in the coming days. Kirby stated that these discussions took place as more Americans are expected to leave Gaza on Monday and more aid is set to enter the region. Kirby told reporters that sufficient aid is not entering Gaza, adding that fewer than 30 trucks of aid had entered Gaza in the past 24 hours. According to Egyptian security sources, by Monday evening, 48 aid trucks had entered Gaza. Egyptian officials stated that after the resumption of the exit of individuals from Gaza on Monday, about 80 dual citizens and 17 medically qualified individuals crossed through the Rafah crossing and left Gaza by early Monday afternoon. The White House believes that a general ceasefire while Israel is trying to eliminate Hamas's military capabilities is not an appropriate step. Biden and Netanyahu also discussed the situation in the West Bank. Following Hamas's attack on October 7, which killed 1,400 people in Israel, Israel launched a comprehensive assault to eliminate the military capabilities of this Iranian-backed Palestinian armed group. The U.S., European Union, Japan, and several other countries have listed Hamas as a terrorist organization. Exclusive: The U.S. called the Iranian regime's actions to force Jews to protest against Israel 'disgusting.' Criticism from the Central Council of Jews in Germany towards Muslim associations: They did not condemn Hamas. Israel eliminated four Palestinian militants in the West Bank. Limited exit of individuals from Gaza through the Rafah crossing has resumed.