California, Aug 22 (V7N)- In a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden emphasized the urgent need to finalize a ceasefire-for-hostages deal in Gaza. Biden pointed to upcoming talks in Cairo as critical for overcoming the remaining obstacles in the ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas, the White House reported.

This call came on the heels of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent visit to the Middle East, which concluded without a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, despite extensive diplomatic efforts. The Cairo talks, which have been in the works for months, are now seen as a pivotal moment in the push for a ceasefire.

"The president stressed the urgency of bringing the ceasefire and hostage release deal to closure and discussed upcoming talks in Cairo to remove any remaining obstacles," the White House stated.

During the call, Biden and Netanyahu also addressed U.S. support for Israel against threats from Iran and its allied groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. This includes ongoing U.S. military deployments in the region to bolster Israel's defenses. The discussion took place against the backdrop of heightened tensions following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31, an act Iran attributes to Israel.

In response to these tensions, the U.S. has increased its military presence in the region, including deploying a guided missile submarine and accelerating the deployment of the Abraham Lincoln strike group.

Negotiators, including Blinken and mediators from Egypt and Qatar, are now focused on a U.S.-proposed "bridging proposal" aimed at narrowing the gaps between the conflicting parties in the 10-month-old Gaza conflict.

Vice President Kamala Harris also participated in the call, as she prepares to formally accept the Democratic nomination for the upcoming presidential election.

The U.S. administration is also addressing Israel's desire to maintain control over the Philadelphi corridor, a narrow stretch of land along Gaza's southern border with Egypt, which Israel captured in late May. Israel's retention of this corridor, crucial for its security concerns, has been a sticking point in the negotiations, with Hamas demanding a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Securing a ceasefire deal in Gaza remains a top priority for President Biden, but achieving a final agreement has proven to be highly challenging.