US President Joe Biden spoke in separate calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, AFP reports.

In his call with Netanyahu, the president “assured the Prime Minister that he will continue working to secure the release of all remaining hostages”.

“The President further emphasized the importance of maintaining calm along the Lebanese border as well as in the West Bank.”

Meanwhile, Biden told Sisi that “under no circumstances will the US permit the forced relocation of Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank” or “the redrawing of the borders of Gaza” — while also affirming that Gaza cannot “remain a sanctuary for Hamas”.

“The President affirmed his commitment to the establishment of a Palestinian state and recognised Egypt’s essential role in setting the conditions for that outcome.”