Tel Aviv, 16 January 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken separately to US President-elect Donald Trump and President Joe Biden to thank them for their help securing a ceasefire in Gaza and a deal to release hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, his office has said.

Netanyahu spoke to Trump then to Biden on Wednesday evening, his office said.

Netanyahu thanked Trump, set to replace Biden in the White House on Monday, "for his assistance in advancing the release of the hostages and for helping Israel bring an end to the suffering of dozens of hostages and their families," his office said on X.

Netanyahu "commended the US President-elect for his remarks that the US would work with Israel to ensure that Gaza will never be a haven for terrorism," his office continued, adding that the two "decided to meet in Washington soon in order to discuss this and other important issues."

Netanyahu's office was briefer as it described the call with outgoing Biden, only saying that the Israeli premier "thanked him as well for his assistance in advancing the hostages deal."

Mediator Qatar said Israel and the Palestinian militant organization Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of more hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. It is set to come into effect on Sunday.

MIA file photo