By Lahav Harkov, Tovah Lazaroff, JPost—
US President Joe Biden told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he expects Israel to move towards a ceasefire with Hamas on Wednesday, but Netanyahu said Operation Guardian of the Walls will continue until Israeli citizens are secure.
Following a phone call between the leaders, the White House said that Biden “expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire.”
“The two leaders had a detailed discussion on the state of events in Gaza, Israel’s progress in degrading the capabilities of Hamas and other terrorist elements, and ongoing diplomatic efforts by regional governments and the United States,” the White House readout stated.
Netanyahu said soon after that he is “determined to continue in this operation until its objective is achieved – to bring back the quiet and security to…citizens of Israel.”
Speaking after a meeting in the Kirya IDF headquarters, the prime minister said he appreciates the support of governments around the world, as well as from Biden for Israel’s right to defend itself, which he called “a natural right.”
“With every day that passes, we strike more abilities of the terrorist organizations,” Netanyahu said. “We are thwarting more senior commanders, toppling more terrorist towers, striking more arms caches.”
Earlier Wednesday, Netanyahu said Israel does not have a set time by which it seeks to finish Operation Guardian of the Walls. Continue Reading….
