US President Joe Biden is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Thursday, a US official said Monday.

Biden has been battling COVID-19 since last Wednesday, but returns to Washington on Tuesday from his beach space in Delaware. Netanyahu addresses a joint U. S. congressional hearing on Wednesday.

Biden and Netanyahu are expected to discuss tactics for achieving a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza, as well as Iran and other issues.

READ ALSO | Indian-American billionaire bids farewell to Donald Trump with Elon Musk

Earlier this week, the Israeli Prime Minister posted on I look forward to my vital meeting with the President.

“I’m leaving for the United States at a time when Israel is fighting on seven fronts and there’s a lot of political uncertainty in Washington. This will be my fourth visit to either chamber of Congress as Prime Minister of Israel. I will seek to consolidate the two-party system that is vital for Israel,” he added.

The Israeli Prime Minister congratulated the Commander in Chief from the White House: “This will be an opportunity to thank him for what he did for Israel during the war and for his long and distinguished career in public service as senator, vice president and president. It will also be an opportunity to talk to him about how to move forward in the critical months ahead…”

It will be Biden’s first meeting with a foreign leader since he decided not to run and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor as the Democratic presidential nominee.

READ ALSO | Kamala Harris to meet with Israel’s Netanyahu this week at the White House

Harris is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu this week, after Biden’s meeting.

An aide to Harris said she would emphasize to Netanyahu that it is time for the standoff in Gaza to end in a way where “Israel is safe, all hostages are released, the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza ends and the rest of the Palestinians can enjoy. “their right. ” dignity, freedom and self-determination.