President Joe Biden has openly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his perceived inadequacy in securing a hostage deal with Hamas. The criticism comes on the heels of a particularly grim development: the murder of six hostages, including 23-year-old Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, by Hamas militants.
Speaking to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House, Biden was unequivocal in his assessment. When asked if Netanyahu was doing enough to advance the negotiations, Biden's response was blunt: "No." The President's comments came as he prepared to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris and a team of negotiators in the Situation Room to discuss the latest developments.
Biden's criticism reflects a growing frustration with the slow progress of the negotiations, which have been ongoing for months. The President emphasized that despite the challenges, efforts to finalize a deal are close. "We're very close to presenting a final proposal," Biden said, though he remained cautious about the specifics.
The White House has been working alongside Qatar and Egypt to broker a ceasefire and hostage-release agreement. However, the negotiation process has faced significant hurdles. Jonathan Dekel-Chen, whose family is among those affected, expressed deep frustration with the situation on "Fox & Friends," urging both the U.S. and Israel to push harder for an agreement. He noted, "Netanyahu cannot offer an excuse anymore to not complete this deal."
Protests in Israel have intensified, with demonstrators taking to the streets to demand decisive action from their government. The discontent follows the recent discovery of the deceased hostages, which has further fueled public pressure on Netanyahu.
In response to Biden's remarks, an Israeli senior official questioned the fairness of the criticism. The official pointed out that Netanyahu had already agreed to key elements of U.S. proposals, while Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has persistently refused to engage in meaningful negotiations. "It is puzzling that President Biden is pressing Prime Minister Netanyahu and not Hamas," the official stated.
Biden's sharp comments are also set against the backdrop of rising concerns about the efficacy of the ongoing negotiations. The President acknowledged the difficulty of the task, stating, "Hope springs eternal." He also underscored his personal connection to the issue, revealing that he had spoken to the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, expressing his profound sympathy and commitment to securing the release of hostages.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing deliberations on whether to push forward with the current negotiations or present a new proposal. Senior administration officials have indicated that the U.S. is weighing its options carefully, with a sense of urgency driving the discussions.
