Joe Biden says killing of Hamas leader Haniyeh not helpful for ceasefire talks

Biden also said he had a direct conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier on Thursday.

US President Joe Biden said on Thursday the killing of Palestinian Islamist group Hamas' leader Ismail Haniyeh was not helpful for reaching a ceasefire in Israel's war in Gaza.

"It doesn't help," Biden told reporters late on Thursday, when asked if Haniyeh's assassination ruined the chances for a ceasefire agreement.

Biden also said he had a direct conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier on Thursday.