US President stresses it is time to end fighting in Gaza Strip

Speaking at a White House press conference, Mr. Biden expressed support for Israel's efforts in Gaza, but "it is time to end this conflict," and called for a ceasefire agreement to be reached soon. Mr. Biden also said that Israel should not occupy the Gaza Strip after the conflict with Hamas ends.

The White House chief added that US efforts to push for a ceasefire in Gaza were making progress. He stressed that the framework for a ceasefire in Gaza had been agreed by both Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, but that there were still gaps to bridge. "These are difficult, complex issues. There are gaps to bridge. We are making progress. The trend is positive and I am determined to get this done and end this conflict... now," he said.

Israel and Hamas had a week-long ceasefire in late November 2023, brokered by Egypt and Qatar, during which Hamas released more than 100 Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of 240 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Negotiations have since failed to produce a ceasefire. Israel's attacks on Gaza since October 2023 have killed more than 38,000 people in Gaza, mostly women and children.