The Middle East crisis The reactions

Biden: Urged Netanyahu to take chance on peace

US President Joe Biden has called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make peace in Gaza after Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed earlier this week. The Independent reports.

- Yesterday I said to the Prime Minister of Israel: let's use this to seek a path to peace, for a better future for Gaza without Hamas, says Biden during a visit to Berlin.

Both Hamas and Benjamin Netanyahu have previously said that Sinwar's death will not mean an end to the war.

Joe Biden also admits, according to Reuters, that there is an opportunity to work for a ceasefire in Lebanon, but that it "looks more difficult in Gaza".

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Putin invites West Bank leaders to Brics meeting

Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited Mahmoud Abbas, leader of the Palestinian Authority that rules the occupied West Bank, to a meeting with Brics in Kazan next week. Reuters reports.

Abbas has not commented on whether he plans to attend.

Putin also renewed his statement of support for a two-state solution, saying the situation in Palestine and Israel will be discussed during the upcoming meeting.

Brics is an economic and political association founded by Russia, India, Brazil, China and South Africa.

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The US sends Blinken to Israel: "Get the hostages home"

Following the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is being sent to Israel within the next few days to try to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.

- It is time for the war to end and for us to get the hostages home. So that's what we're ready to do, and I'm sending Tony Blinken to Israel, says US President Joe Biden according to AFP.

Joe Biden called and congratulated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the news of Sinwar's death. According to US State Department chairman Matthew Miller, Sinwar was "the biggest obstacle" to ending the war - with him gone, it opens up new opportunities, writes Reuters.

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Trump: Sinwar's death makes peace in Gaza 'easier'

Donald Trump says the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar makes a possible peace in Gaza "easier", reports Reuters.

- I'm glad that Bibi decided to do what he needed to do, said Trump, who uses a nickname for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Both Israel and Hamas, as well as Hamas's allies in Hezbollah, the Houthi movement and Iran, have said the war in Gaza will continue.