Biden Pledges End To Gaza War Before Term Ends As Netanyahu Meet Delayed

Axios reportedearlier today that US President Joe Biden has "pledged to spend his remaining six months in office trying to end the Israel-Hamas war and bringing home the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza." Following his withdrawal from the presidential race on 21 July, Biden now no longer faces the massive distraction of having to run for re-election in November and can dedicate his time to seeking resolution of the conflict.

• Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's meeting with Biden, originally set to take place today, has been pushed back to Thursday 25 July as the president continues his recovery from a bout of COVID-19.
• Netanyahu will still deliver an address to a joint session of Congress, but the session will not be presided over by Vice President and presumptive Democratic party presidential nominee Kamala Harris. She has a pre-existing committment to speak at an event in Indianapolis.
• Harris is set to meet with Netanyahu during his visit, though. A Harris aide said on 22 July that the VP has "an unwavering commitment to the security of Israel" The aide expects Harris to say "it is time for the war to end in a way where Israel is secure, all hostages are released, the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza ends...And they will discuss efforts to reach agreement on the ceasefire deal."
• Netanyahu remains under significant pressure domestically, with significant public oppobrium directed at the PM for going to the US rather than remaining at home and working to bring hostages home.