Biden's exit from race may impact ceasefire discussions with Netanyahu

Israel's prime minister's office said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet US President Joe Biden on Tuesday in the United States.

But there are concerns that Biden's decision to drop out of the presidential race could have an impact on the discussions on Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage release negotiations.

It will be Netanyahu's first visit to the US since the conflict between Israel and the Islamic group Hamas began last year. The announcement by the prime minister's office came just before Biden revealed his decision on Sunday.

Netanyahu is expected to address the US Congress on Wednesday.

Biden has strongly called for a ceasefire in the fighting in Gaza.

He revealed in May a three-phase proposal that includes a six-week ceasefire and release of hostages and urged Hamas to accept it.

Netanyahu has since repeatedly demanded that Israeli forces should be able to resume their operations to eliminate Hamas even after a ceasefire is put in place, and that Israel take control of the border area between Gaza and Egypt.

Hamas is calling for the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire.

The negotiations have been stalled due to the wide gap between the two sides.