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Associated Press

Declaring that “every innocent life lost in Gaza is a tragedy”, US President Joe Biden welcomed Jordan’s King Abdullah to the White House on Monday for talks on how to end the months-long war and plan for what comes afterward.
The meeting with Abdullah comes as Biden and his aides are working to broker another pause in Israel’s war against Hamas in order to send humanitarian aid and supplies into the region and get hostages out.
The White House faces growing criticism from Arab Americans over the administration’s continued support for Israel in the face of rising casualties in Gaza since Hamas launched its October 7 attack on Israel.
“The key elements of the deal are on the table,” Biden said alongside the king, though “there are gaps that remain”.

He said the US would do “everything possible” to make an agreement happen: a pause to fighting for at least six weeks and the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas.
A senior US administration official said Sunday that after weeks of shuttle diplomacy and phone conversations, a framework was essentially in place for a deal.
Israeli assault on Gaza’s Rafah a ‘terrifying’ prospect: UN
The official said Israeli military pressure on Hamas in Khan Younis over the last several week s has helped bring the militant group closer to accepting an agreement.
Abdullah said Biden’s leadership was “key to addressing this conflict”, as he raised the plight of the tens of thousands of civilians killed and wounded in the fighting.
“We need a lasting ceasefire now,” the king said. “This war must end.”
Jordan and other Arab states have been highly critical of Israel’s actions and have eschewed public support for long-term planning over what happens next, arguing that the fighting must end before such discussions can begin.
They have been demanding a ceasefire since mid-October as civilian casualties began to skyrocket.
Biden’s stance marks a subtle but notable break for the president, who has continued to oppose a permanent ceasefire.

His administration has insisted that Hamas not retain political or military control over Gaza after the war -a key objective of the Israeli operation to prevent a repeat of the October 7 attack that killed more than 1,200 Israelis and saw about 250 taken hostage.
Israel’s offensive has killed more than 28,000 Palestinians in the territory, displaced over 80 per cent of the population and set off a massive humanitarian crisis.
Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians, has said the majority of those killed are women and children. Israel claims to have killed about 10,000 Hamas fighters but has not provided evidence.
Israel rescues 2 hostages in Gaza’s Rafah under cover of deadly strikes
Biden repeated his warning that Israel must not launch a full-scale attack on Rafah, the last major holdout of Hamas where more than 1.3 million people are sheltering unless it devises plans to safeguard the civilians there from harm’s way.
Earlier Monday, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby acknowledged there were “legitimate military targets” for Israel in Rafah, but said the Israelis must ensure their operations are designed to protect the lives of innocent civilians.
Officials have said the US is not sure there is a feasible plan to relocate civilians out of Rafah to allow military operations to take place.




Biden, who has held out hope for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, added that he and the king discussed the need for the Palestinian Authority, which has some control over parts of the West Bank, to “urgently reform” to be ready to assume some authorities in Gaza if Hamas is removed from power.
“They must prepare to build a state that accepts peace, does not harbour terrorist groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad,” Biden said.
Abdullah insisted that “Separation of the West Bank and Gaza cannot be accepted”.
Egypt is threatening to void its peace treaty with Israel. What does that mean?
Earlier Monday, Biden, joined by his wife, Jill, welcomed the king, Queen Rania, and crown prince Hussein at the White House before the leaders met.
It was the first meeting between the allies since three American troops were killed last month in a drone strike against a US base in Jordan.
Biden blamed Iran-backed militias for the deaths, the first for the US after months of strikes by such groups against American forces across the Middle East since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas.
Biden had planned to visit Jordan during his trip to Israel in October shortly after the October 7 attack by Hamas, but the trip was scrapped. On his way home from Israel, Biden announced he’d helped broker the first deal to pause fighting temporarily and to open the crossing in Rafah to humanitarian aid.
In the months since, members of his administration have made repeated trips to the region to engage with leaders there.


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Israel-Gaza war

Joe Biden says ‘key elements’ of a Gaza deal are on table as he meets Jordan’s King Abdullah

US President Joe Biden at a press conference with Jordan’s King Abdullah. Photo: Reuters

Israeli soldiers returning from southern Gaza. Photo: Reuters

An Israeli bombardment inside the Gaza Strip. Photo: AP

Israeli assault on Gaza’s Rafah a ‘terrifying’ prospect: UN rights chief

Palestinians mourn relatives killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip at a hospital morgue in Rafah. Photo: AP

The remains of a mosque after Israeli bombardment on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Photo: dpa

Biden hardens tone on Israel’s ‘over the top’ response in Gaza

US President Joe Biden has been more critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Photo: Bloomberg

Biden’s comments reflects the growing divide between the Democratic president and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government. Photo: Reuters

Biden says Israel should not press into Rafah without ‘credible’ plan to protect civilians

An elderly woman walks past buildings heavily damaged by Israeli bombardment in Rafah, southern Gaza on Sunday. Photo: AFP

US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv in October. Biden spoke to Netanyahu in a phone call on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

People evacuate from a building damaged by Israeli bombardment in Rafah, southern Gaza on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Israeli strikes on Rafah escalate fears of Gaza ground operation after Netanyahu orders military to ‘prepare to operate’

A girl stands near rubble on Friday after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. Photo: Xinhua

Mourners react on Saturday at Abu Yousef al-Najjar hospital in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, following the death of Palestinians in Israeli strikes. Photo: Reuters

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World

Middle East

US President Joe Biden pushes for six-week fighting pause in Israel-Hamas hostage deal
Jordan’s King Abdullah says the war ‘must end’ as he meets with Biden at the White House


US President Joe Biden said he’s pushing for a six-week pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas to allow for the release of hostages.


Joe Biden says ‘key elements’ of a Gaza deal are on table as he meets Jordan’s King Abdullah

US President Joe Biden pushes for six-week fighting pause in Israel-Hamas hostage deal Jordan’s King Abdullah says the war ‘must end’ as he meets with Biden at the White House

US President Joe Biden pushes for six-week fighting pause in Israel-Hamas hostage deal

Jordan’s King Abdullah says the war ‘must end’ as he meets with Biden at the White House