President Biden congratulated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Israel’s killing of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, the architect of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered a yearlong war and introduced new tensions between the leaders.
In remarks to reporters upon landing in Berlin, Biden said he felt hopeful about a cease-fire in Gaza and that the war will end “soon.” He added that he’s dispatching Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Israel for talks.
“Now is the time to move on. Move on, move toward to a cease-fire in Gaza, make sure that we move in a direction that we’re going to be in a position to make things better for the whole world,” the president said.
“It’s time for this war to end and bring these hostages home. So that’s what we’re ready to do. And I’m sending Tony Blinken to Israel. … I talked with Bibi about that. We’re going to work out what, what is the day after now. How do we secure Gaza and move on,” he said, referring to Netanyahu.
Biden made the call to Netanyahu while traveling aboard Air Force One to Germany. A readout provided by the White House said the two leaders discussed how to use this moment to advance the release of 101 hostages kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7 who are still being held in the Gaza Strip “and to bring the war to a close with Israel’s security assured and Hamas never again able to control Gaza.”
“They agreed to remain in close contact over the coming days both directly and through their national security teams,” the White House said.
A statement from the office of the prime minister of Israel did not address bringing the war to a close, but said the two leaders agreed that they would “work together” to advance the release of hostages. Netanyahu, in earlier recorded public remarks, said the war “is not over yet.”
“Citizens of Israel, we are in the resurrection war. Big challenges are still ahead. We are required for long-spiritedness, for the unity of the ranks, for courage, for a firm stand. Together we will fight, and with God’s help – together we will win,” he said.
Those statements appeared to signal a split between Israel and the Biden administration on next steps. The Biden administration has signaled a desire to step up efforts to release the hostages, wind down Israel’s military operations and pursue a “day after” scenario that sets up a new administration of the Strip.
Biden, in a statement earlier Thursday, said there “is an opportunity for a ‘day after’ in Gaza without Hamas in power, and for a political settlement that provides a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”
Updated at 5:05 p.m. EDT