US President Joe Biden spoke with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, about the situation in the Gaza Strip on Friday.
The White House said in a statement that the two leaders agreed that the release of hostages held by Hamas is essential to reaching a longer-term truce.
"The two leaders emphasized that reaching an agreement on the hostages is essential to achieving a long-term humanitarian truce in the fighting and ensuring that additional life-saving humanitarian assistance reaches civilians in need throughout Gaza."
Brett McGurk, Biden's advisor for Middle East affairs, had visited Doha a few days ago to discuss the possibility of concluding another exchange deal between Israel and Hamas.
White House spokesman John Kirby said on Tuesday that the United States would support a longer humanitarian truce in the fighting in Gaza to ensure the release of hostages and the entry of more aid.
Biden also spoke with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Friday.
The White House said in a statement that the two sides discussed intensifying efforts to increase the sending of life-saving humanitarian aid to all parts of the Gaza Strip and agreed to continue their close coordination on humanitarian assistance.
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