Israeli press reports: Harsh phone call from Biden to Netanyahu

According to the Israeli press, Biden demanded that Netanyahu sign a hostage exchange deal with Hamas.

According to a report by Israel's Channel 12, which cited two unnamed US officials, Biden called Netanyahu and told him that a hostage exchange deal is currently the most important thing to be done.

In the conversation, which was described as difficult and in which Biden adopted a harsh tone, Biden asked Netanyahu to avoid escalating tensions in the region and instead work toward a hostage exchange deal and a ceasefire in Gaza.

The parties also discussed military preparations underway regarding a possible retaliation from Iran in response to the assassination of Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh.

THE ASSASSINATION OF HAMAS LEADER HANIYEH IN IRAN

Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps announced in a statement early on July 31 that an attack had been carried out on Haniyeh's residence in Tehran.

While Iran and the Hamas movement hold Israel responsible for the assassination, Israeli officials have refrained from making statements regarding the incident.

Haniyeh was elected as the head of the Hamas Political Bureau by the Hamas Shura Council on May 6, 2017, replacing Khaled Mashal.

News Source: AA