Biden says Palestinian state still possible after call with Netanyahu

U.S. President Joe Biden said Friday it was still possible Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could agree to some form of Palestinian state, after the two leaders spoke for the first time in nearly a month.

Their call came a day after Netanyahu said he opposes allowing Palestinian sovereignty in the wake of the conflict with Hamas. But Biden said after the call that it was not impossible Netanyahu might come round to some form of so-called two-state solution, mooted for decades as a way to end tensions in the Middle East, despite the Israeli prime minister's comments. 

"There are a number of types of two-state solutions. There's a number of countries that are members of the UN that ... don't have their own militaries," Biden told reporters after an event at the White House. "And so, I think there's ways in which this could work." 

Asked what Netanyahu was open to, Biden replied: "I'll let you know." 

But the White House denied Friday's call was made in direct response to Netanyahu's comment, noting that "the president still believes in the promise and the possibility of a two-state solution" for both Israelis and Palestinians.

According to a White House statement, Biden and Netanyahu on Friday discussed efforts to secure the remaining hostages held by Hamas, and Israel's shift to more "targeted" operations in Gaza to allow more humanitarian assistance to come through.

It said Biden discussed Israel's responsibility even as it maintains military pressure on Hamas and its leaders to reduce civilian harm and protect the innocent.  

"The President also discussed his vision for a more durable peace and security for Israel fully integrated within the region and a two state-solution with Israel's security guaranteed," the statement said. 

Almost 25,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza since October 7 last year, the majority women and children, Ajith Sunghay, an official with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory said Friday.

In Israel, the October 7 attacks have resulted in the deaths of about 1,140 people, most of them civilians.

(With input from agencies)