Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden have spoken in a phone call on the latest efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage release in the Israel-Hamas war.

Israel says Hamas has not provided any information about the status of those 34 hostages, dampening any notion that the endorsement is a step toward a deal to stop the war.

Israel and Hamas are once again struggling to reach a ceasefire that could wind down the 15-month war in Gaza and bring home dozens of Israelis held hostage.

The Biden administration is putting pressure on a deal before the inauguration, which will see President-elect Donald Trump return to the White House.

President Joe Biden spoke on Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as U.S. officials race to reach a Gaza hostage and cease-fire deal.

U.S. President Joe Biden spoke on Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House said, as U.S. officials race to reach a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal before Biden leaves office on Jan.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken with US President Joe Biden about the progress in negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire-hostage deal, Netanyahu’s office said Sunday.

US President Biden and Israeli PM Netanyahu discuss ceasefire talks US President Joe Biden has spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the progress of Gaza ceasefire talks. Biden stressed the immediate need for a ceasefire and the return of the Israeli captives.

Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Sunday that the parties were "very, very close" to reaching a deal