Biden Criticizes Netanyahu Over Efforts To Secure Hostage Release in Gaza
In a pointed remark on Monday, US President Joe Biden criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not doing enough to secure a deal for the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Biden stated that the US was “very close” to presenting a final proposal to negotiators working on both a hostage and cease-fire agreement.
When asked if he believed Netanyahu was doing enough to reach a hostage deal, Biden responded with a blunt “No” but did not provide further details. Biden’s comments came after the bodies of six hostages, including 23-year-old American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin, were recovered by Israeli forces from a tunnel in Gaza over the weekend. Israel’s military reported that the hostages were recently killed by Hamas, a development that has intensified scrutiny of the Biden Administration’s Gaza cease-fire strategy and increased pressure on Netanyahu to secure the release of the remaining hostages.
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In response, Netanyahu argued that the pressure should be directed at Hamas rather than Israel, especially after the deaths of the hostages. “And now, after this, we’re asked to show seriousness? We’re asked to make concessions? What message does this send Hamas? It says, kill more hostages,” Netanyahu stated during a news conference in Jerusalem. Netanyahu added that he did not believe Biden or anyone serious about achieving peace would ask Israel to make further concessions, insisting that Hamas should be the party making compromises. Meanwhile, Biden hinted that a final hostage deal could be presented to both sides as early as this week but did not specify a timeline.
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris met with the US hostage negotiation team, where Biden expressed “devastation and outrage” over the murders and discussed the next steps in efforts to free the remaining captives. Biden and Harris face growing calls for decisive action to end Israel’s nearly 11-month-old war in Gaza as they prepare for the upcoming November 5 election.
