White House Urges Israel, Hamas to Engage in Ceasefire Talks This Week

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called on Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas to participate in ceasefire talks in Gaza this week.

In a press conference, according to a release by the White House on Wednesday, Jean-Pierre stated that negotiators must return to the table, emphasizing that a ceasefire is the best way to alleviate tensions in the region. 

She said, "What we expect is that we fully expect to move forward, and as you know, August 15 is the date when people will return to the negotiating table. All negotiators need to come back to that table and finalize this deal."

She continued, "It is time for Hamas to release the detainees, including American citizens, and to ease the burden on the people of Gaza under the deal currently on the table. This is what President Joe Biden and his team have been working on around the clock, and this is what we want to see."