Biden-Netanyahu call... "Let's start diplomacy in Lebanon"

U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed ways to resolve conflicts with Israel, Iran and Hezbollah.

The White House says Biden and Netanyahu spoke by phone with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and discussed the situation in the Middle East.

The White House said President Biden stressed the need for a diplomatic agreement to ensure civilians in the border region can safely return home over the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict.

It also said the two leaders discussed the urgent need to resume diplomacy to free the hostages held by Hamas over the Gaza war.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the call between the two leaders was straightforward and productive, but gave no details of the conversation about Israel's retaliatory attacks on Iran.

The Associated Press also reported that Netanyahu recently spoke with former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate of the United States.

Israel's prime minister's office said former President Trump called Netanyahu last week to congratulate him on the intensive and decisive operation he is conducting against Hezbollah.