Israel Latest: Biden Urges ‘Pause’ So Hostages Can Leave Gaza
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US President Joe Biden said Israel and Hamas militants ought to “pause” fighting in order to allow time to free hostages being held in the Gaza Strip, but stopped short of supporting a full cease-fire.
Biden earlier credited “intense and urgent American diplomacy” with the opening of the Rafah border crossing into Egypt, allowing an initial group of refugees – including some Americans – to flee fighting in Gaza. A Qatar-mediated deal allowing the departures required agreement between Hamas, Egypt and Israel.