US President Joe Biden discussed with Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Monday ongoing efforts in Doha to secure an agreement to end hostilities in the besieged Gaza Strip during what the White House described as a "critical point in the negotiations," APA reports citing Turkish media.
During the telephone call, Biden "thanked the Amir for his leadership and praised the mediating role of Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani throughout the process," the White House said in a statement.
"Both leaders emphasized the urgent need for a deal to be implemented to return the hostages to their families and bring immediate relief to the people of Gaza through a surge in humanitarian aid enabled by the ceasefire and called for in the deal," it added.