Biden "will work harder to cease-fire and release hostages in Gaza"

With a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah in effect, U.S. President Joe Biden says he will work harder to reach a cease-fire in Gaza and release hostages in the future.

In a post on social media, Biden said the truce between Israel and Hezbollah brought him closer to realizing the future of a peaceful, prosperous and unified Middle East he had pushed throughout his term.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan said in an MSNBC interview that Biden's envoys are trying to launch efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza in Turkiye, Qatar and Egypt.

He stressed that he sees such efforts as the beginning of an opportunity for a more stable Middle East where Israel's security is guaranteed and the interests of the United States are secured.

Sullivan explained that Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu before the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah and that the two leaders decided to try again to negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza.