White House says it's working for Hamas surrender even as it tries to rein in Israel

The White House said it remains committed to ensuring a Hamas surrender and has engaged in conversations with intermediary countries, including Qatar and Egypt, to achieve that end.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said it delivered that message "forcefully" to counterparts in Qatar and Egypt, which have acted as mediators in the ongoing Middle East conflict. U.S. officials' continued push for a surrender underscores the delicate balance the White House is seeking to achieve as it works to end hostilities.

"We've been clear publicly, as well as privately, that this conflict could end today if Hamas would just lay down their arms and that if Hamas cared about the lives of the Palestinian people, they would do that," the National Security Council spokesperson said.

White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said President Biden wants Hamas to surrender and pointed to examples of the president and other officials saying so in the past. Biden remarked during his State of the Union address last month that the conflict would end if Hamas stood down, released its hostages and handed over those responsible for the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks in Israel.

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Yet, the White House asserts that it is actively working to achieve a Hamas surrender even as Biden intensifies pressure on the Israeli government. In a phone call Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden called for an immediate cease-fire, saying it is "essential to stabilize and improve the humanitarian situation and protect innocent civilians."

According to a readout of the call released by