This is an entry from: Live: Israel and Hamas claim victory as fragile ceasefire holds
Netanyahu rejects Biden's call to de-escalate
19 May 2021 20:49 BST
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was "determined to carry on with this operation" in the Gaza Strip until "calm and security are restored to Israeli citizens".
In a statement that followed a phone conversation with US President Joe Biden, Netanyahu said that he "really appreciates" the international support Israel has received, particularly "the support given by the president of our friend, the United States, Joe Biden, for the State of Israel's right to self defense".
During the call, the US President had told Netanyahu that he "expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire", according to a White House statement.