Biden, Netanyahu discussed potential for tactical pauses in Gaza strikes

U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the potential for tactical pauses in strikes on Gaza for humanitarian reasons and possible hostage releases during talks on Monday, according to a spokesperson. White House spokesperson John Kirby said the U.S. and Israeli governments would continue to be in touch on such temporary pauses and that Biden and Netanyahu agreed to continue talks in the coming days.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the potential for tactical pauses in strikes on Gaza for humanitarian reasons and possible hostage releases during talks on Monday, according to a spokesperson.

White House spokesperson John Kirby said the U.S. and Israeli governments would continue to be in touch on such temporary pauses and that Biden and Netanyahu agreed to continue talks in the coming days. Those conversations came as more Americans are expected to exit Gaza on Monday and as more aid enters the territory, Kirby said. Biden and Netanyahu also discussed the situation in the West Bank.

Kirby told reporters that not enough aid is getting into Gaza, adding that fewer than 30 aid trucks entered Gaza in the last 24 hours. The White House maintains that a general ceasefire would be an appropriate step.