HH The Amir pushes for immediate ceasefire in Gaza during talks with Joe Biden

HH The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a phone call from US President Joe Biden on Sunday.

During the call, the two leaders discussed and reviewed the latest developments in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories.

Strategic relations between the two friendly nations and other regional and international developments of joint interest were also discussed. 

سمو الأمير المفدى يتلقى اتصالاً هاتفياً من فخامة الرئيس جو بايدن رئيس الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية الصديقة. https://t.co/WlaRtWUVBr

— الديوان الأميري (@AmiriDiwan) November 12, 2023

During the call, Biden expressed his appreciation to HH The Amir for Qatar’s diplomatic efforts regarding the situation in Gaza, and its effective and positive role in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.

“The two leaders agreed that all hostages must be released without further delay,” read a statement from the White House.

Sheikh Tamim stressed the necessity of an immediate ceasefire, an end to bloodshed, protection of civilians in Gaza, and the permanent opening of the Rafah crossing to ensure the flow of relief and humanitarian aid convoys to the Palestinian people besieged in the Gaza Strip.

HH The Amir also promised continued diplomatic efforts from Qatar to reduce escalation, release hostages and open the Rafah crossing to foreigners and relief aid. He also appreciated the USA’s role in this context.

Qatar has been leading mediation efforts between Hamas and Israeli officials over the hostages.

Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, told CNN's ‘State of the Union’ that “active, intensive negotiations” were underway involving Israel, Qatar, Egypt and the United States on securing the release of more hostages, but it was not clear if all were alive.

“The goal here’s to do what’s necessary at the negotiating table to ensure that we get the safe return of all of the hostages, including the Americans,” Sullivan had told CNN.

Brett McGurk, Biden’s senior Middle East adviser, is expected to visit Israel on Tuesday and meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with further visits planned in Brussels, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Qatar, reported Reuters.