White House Urges Ceasefire Talks Between Israel and Hamas

The White House has called for Israel and Hamas to engage in discussions this week to reach a ceasefire in Gaza. Doubts remain regarding Hamas' participation despite the U.S. urging for negotiation as the best approach to deescalate current tensions.

Israel and Hamas should participate in talks this week on reaching a ceasefire in Gaza, a White House spokesperson said on Tuesday, after Hamas cast doubt on whether it would participate.

"We believe that negotiators should come to the table. We believe getting to a ceasefire deal is the best way to deescalate the tensions that we're seeing," spokesperson Karine Jean Pierre told reporters aboard Air Force One as President Joe Biden traveled to New Orleans.

(With inputs from agencies.)