Netanyahu thanks Trump and Biden by phone for their efforts to close a hostage release deal

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MADRID Jan 15 (EUROPA PRESS) –

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone this Wednesday with both the president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, and the outgoing president Joe Biden and thanked them for their efforts to close an agreement that would allow the release of the hostages in the Gaza Strip.

“The Prime Minister thanked US President-elect Trump for his help in promoting the release of the hostages and ending the suffering of dozens of hostages and their families,” his office said in a statement.

Likewise, he has said he is “committed” to freeing “all those kidnapped” through “any means possible”, while he has also applauded Trump for ensuring that he will work with Israel “to guarantee that Gaza will never be a haven for terrorism.” “.

During the call, both agreed to “meet soon” in Washington, although no further details were given. Netanyahu, who spoke with Biden after speaking with Trump, has conveyed his gratitude to the outgoing president for promoting the agreement.

The Israeli prime minister will not appear in public for the moment until the deal is completely closed. A vote is scheduled to be held this Thursday within the Executive to give the ‘green light’ to the pact.

The main negotiators of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas confirmed this Wednesday that the parties have reached an agreement for a ceasefire in Gaza that will be developed in phases starting on Sunday and that will be accompanied by the release of 33 hostages in the hands of the Islamist group in exchange for an undetermined number of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

Contacts had accelerated in recent days and key mediators such as the United States and Qatar had already confirmed a rapprochement. More than 46,700 people have died in Gaza as a result of the military offensive launched by Israeli forces after the attacks carried out by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Some 240 people were kidnapped in these attacks, of which nearly one hundred still remain in Gaza. the Strip.