Biden to resume focus on Gaza ceasefire and Saudi-Israel normalisation

US President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that he will refocus his efforts on a ceasefire in Gaza in partnership with Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, and Israel, now that a ceasefire in Lebanon has been secured.

"Hamas has a choice to make," Biden said in remarks delivered at the White House.

"Their only way out is to release the hostages, including American citizens, which they hold. In the process, [this would] bring an end to the fighting, which would make possible a surge of humanitarian relief over the coming days." 

The president, who has fewer than 60 days left in office, also recommitted to a normalisation deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel, something the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump is very likely to keep pursuing. 

"Today's announcement brings us closer to realising an affirmative agenda that I've pushed forward during my entire presidency: a vision for the future of the Middle East... a future where Palestinians have a state of their own, one that fulfills this people's legitimate aspirations, one that cannot threaten Israel or harbor terrorist groups with backing from Iran," Biden said.

"To that end, the United States remains prepared to conclude a set of historic deals with Saudi Arabia, to include a security pact and economic assurances, together with a credible pathway for establishing a Palestinian state and the full normalisation of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel."