White House: Biden and Netanyahu Discuss Fighting and Captives

American President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu spoke tonight (Thursday) and discussed the developments in the fighting, the efforts to free hostages held by Hamas, American support for aid to Gaza, and the importance of a path to a lasting peace, according to the White House.

President Biden stressed that “Israel has every right and responsibility to defend its citizens from terrorism and to do so in a manner consistent with international humanitarian law.” The two also discussed ways to ensure safe passage for foreign citizens interested in leaving Gaza as soon as possible.

Earlier yesterday, Biden addressed the war in Israel in a statement he gave in Washington, saying that the state of affairs between Israel and Gaza before Hamas’ lethal attack cannot be restored.