Biden says it may be easier to reach a cease-fire in Lebanon than Gaza

U.S. President Joe Biden has suggested that negotiating a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hezbollah could be easier than forging one between Israel and Hamas.

Biden said he discussed the way ahead to end the Middle East conflict following the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza when he met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on Friday.

Biden told reporters that the leaders “think that there is a possibility of working for a cease-fire in Lebanon and it’s going to be harder in Gaza.”

He continued: “But we agree there has to be an outcome of what happens the day after.”

Sinwar was killed Wednesday by Israeli forces in Gaza, and Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone the following day.

Biden declined to say whether Netanyahu gave him assurance during that conversation that the Israelis are ready to get back to negotiations toward a cease-fire and the release of hostages.

“We’re in the middle of discussions about that,” Biden said, adding: “I’m not going to get into that.”

Asked whether he had an understanding of when and how Israel may respond to Iran’s missile barrage on Israel earlier this month, Biden responded, “Yes and yes.”

He declined to offer any further details on Israel’s potential retaliation.