President Joe Biden is continuing negotiations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an effort to bring an end to the violence between Israel and Hamas. Biden called for an immediate ceasefire during a phone call with Netanyahu on Wednesday, stressing the need to deescalate the situation and protect innocent civilians.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 200 Palestinians, including many children, and a dozen Israelis. Biden’s administration is working with Qatar to mediate a potential truce between the two sides, with hopes of bringing an end to the violence that has engulfed the region for nearly two weeks.

This latest push for a ceasefire comes as pressure mounts on the US to take a more assertive stance in addressing the conflict. The Biden administration has faced criticism from some lawmakers for not doing enough to prevent the violence, while others have called for more support for Israel in its fight against Hamas.

As the violence continues to escalate, it remains to be seen whether Biden’s efforts will lead to a lasting ceasefire and bring some much-needed relief to the people of Israel and Palestine.