Biden said he’d had a “very direct” conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier in the day, repeating “very direct” for emphasis.

He added: “We have the basis for a cease-fire. He should move on it and they should move on it now.”

Biden spoke on the tarmac of an air base outside Washington after welcoming back to the United States three Americans who were freed in a prisoner swap earlier in the day.

However, Biden assured Netanyahu that Washington is committed to defending Israel's security "against all threats from Iran," the White House said.

Biden, who was joined on the call by Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, also emphasized the "ongoing efforts to de-escalate broader tensions in the region," the White House said in a statement.

Biden "reaffirmed his commitment to Israel's security against all threats from Iran, including its proxy terrorist groups Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Huthis," the White House said in a readout of the president's call with Netanyahu.

"The president discussed efforts to support Israel's defense against threats, including against ballistic missiles and drones, to include new defensive US military deployments," it said.