Biden calls for pause

In a phone call on Monday, President Biden has called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pause the fighting in Gaza, according to Reuters. Axios reported earlier that Biden had urged Netanyahu to take a three-day break from fighting. Biden said it could make progress in the process of releasing at least 240 hostages taken by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack. According to a proposal currently being studied by the United States, Israel and Qatar, Hamas will release between 10 and 15 hostages during such a pause. In addition, the movement will confirm the identity of all hostages. /ritzau/