Netanyahu arrives in Washington: Biden meeting on Thursday to tackle ceasefire

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plane landed at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, DC, on Monday night. A meeting with US President Joe Biden is scheduled for Thursday at the White House, as confirmed by a US official.

Despite battling COVID-19 since last Wednesday, Biden is expected to return to Washington from his beach house in Delaware on Tuesday. Netanyahu will address a joint session of the US Congress on Wednesday.

The upcoming discussions between Biden and Netanyahu will focus on negotiating a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, as well as addressing concerns related to Iran and other issues.

This will be Biden’s first meeting with a foreign leader since he announced he would not seek reelection and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor.

Harris is to meet Netanyahu this week separate from Biden's meeting.

A Harris aide said she will stress to Netanyahu that it is time for the Gaza conflict to end in a way where "Israel is secure, all hostages are released, the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can enjoy their right to dignity, freedom, and self-determination." 

Prime Minister Netanyahu addresses a joint session of the US Congress on Wednesday.

* The Jerusalem Post contributed to this report