President Joe Biden has expressed strong disapproval of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's efforts to secure a hostage deal following the deaths of six hostages in Gaza, including an American-Israeli.
According to ABC News, Biden's criticism comes amid stalled negotiations and growing pressure for a cease-fire agreement.
The President, described as "outraged," returned to the White House on Monday to meet with the U.S. hostage negotiating team in the Situation Room. When asked by reporters if Netanyahu was doing enough to secure a deal, Biden emphatically responded "No," signaling a potential shift in the U.S. approach to the ongoing crisis.
Biden expressed his devastation and outrage at the murder of the hostages, including Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old American-Israeli who was taken during the October 7 attacks. The President emphasized the need for accountability, stating that Hamas leaders would face consequences for these actions.
In a statement released after the Situation Room meeting, the White House reaffirmed the importance of holding Hamas's leaders accountable. Biden also shared his personal connection to the Goldberg-Polin family, having gotten to know the parents during this ordeal.
The recovery of the six killed hostages has intensified the urgency for a resolution. With 97 Israeli hostages still in Gaza, including seven Americans (three confirmed dead), the pressure on both Israeli and U.S. leadership to secure their release has escalated.
Biden indicated that the U.S. is considering presenting a final proposed hostage deal to Israel and Hamas. When asked about this possibility, the President stated, "We're very close to that."
Senior administration officials revealed that while nothing is definitive, there is a sense of urgency to bring the negotiations to a close. The U.S. is deliberating whether to allow the parties to continue working out the details or to present a new proposal that bridges the existing gaps.
If this potential final deal falls through, it could potentially lead to the end of U.S.-led negotiations, underscoring the critical nature of the current diplomatic efforts.
Netanyahu has pushed back against what he terms "international pressure" on Israel, arguing that such statements should be directed at Hamas instead. The Israeli Prime Minister defended his position, stating:
I don't believe President Biden or anyone serious about achieving peace and achieving the release can seriously ask Israel, Israel to make these concessions. We've already made them. Hamas has to make concessions.
This response highlights the tension between the two leaders' approaches to resolving the hostage crisis and achieving a cease-fire. Netanyahu's stance remains firm, emphasizing that Israel has already made significant concessions and that the onus is now on Hamas to reciprocate.
In conclusion, President Biden's criticism of Netanyahu's efforts to secure a hostage deal marks a significant moment in U.S.-Israel relations amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. The deaths of six hostages, including an American-Israeli, have heightened the urgency for a resolution. As the U.S. considers presenting a final proposal for a cease-fire and hostage release, the international community watches closely. The divergent views between Biden and Netanyahu on the path forward underscore the complexities of the situation and the challenges in achieving a diplomatic breakthrough.
