Chile's Boric, after condemning Israel over Gaza, to raise concerns with Biden

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Chilean President Gabriel Boric, who this week condemned Israel's military operations in Gaza and recalled his envoy to Israel, on Thursday said he planned to discuss some "really hard" global issues with President Joe Biden in Washington.

Boric, speaking at the start of an Oval Office meeting with Biden, did not mention Israel by name, but said respecting human rights and fighting for democracy could help address the really hard" issues facing the world at the moment.

Asked after his remarks whether he planned to raise his concerns about Israel during the meeting, Boric nodded affirmatively.

Biden is facing mounting pressure abroad and at home for failing to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict, although the White House is now backing a series of "pauses" in the fighting to allow people to exit Gaza and aid to flow in.

Boric and Biden shared a few light moments at the start of their meeting, comparing notes about being elected to office in their 20s.

"The only problem I have with you is you're too young," Biden told Boric, who is 37 years old. "That's not a problem," Boric shot back.

Biden said the two countries have been engaged in a bilateral relationship for 200 years, and the new Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity (APEP), whose leaders are meeting at the White House on Friday, would help boost economic prosperity across the Western Hemisphere.

Boric said he looked forward to strengthening ties with the U.S. and said he had a "lot of topics to discuss," including "the green transition, migration and economic development."

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Sandra Maler)