Biden, Netanyahu speak for first time in weeks

The White House has confirmed that a phone call took place between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday.

While details are expected to be available later in the day, this is the first time the two leaders have spoken since August.

On the anniversary of the 7 October attacks, Biden called Israeli President Isaac Herzog instead of Netanyahu. 

The preferred communication channel appears to be between US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who sometimes speak multiple times a week.