US President Joe Biden stated today that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not doing enough to secure an agreement for the release of hostages held by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
When asked by reporters at the White House, where Biden was arriving for a meeting with US negotiators, if he thought Israel's leader was doing enough on the matter, the president said no.
Biden's comments come at a time of increasing tension between the US and Israeli administrations. The relationship between the two long-standing allies has been strained in recent months, with disagreements over the handling of the Gaza conflict and the humanitarian crisis in the region. Despite these challenges, both sides maintain that their alliance remains strong, though observers note that the public criticism from Biden marks a significant shift in tone.
Biden's meeting with hostage negotiators follows the deaths of six captives in Gaza on Saturday, one of them was an American citizen.
The president stated that negotiators were very close to presenting a final plan to Israel and Hamas.
The potential breakthrough in negotiations has sparked cautious optimism among families of the hostages and international observers. However, experts warn that the situation remains delicate, with both Israel and Hamas likely to face domestic pressure regarding any concessions made in a potential deal. The coming days are seen as crucial in determining whether a resolution can be reached.
Biden's itinerary was adjusted to accommodate the White House meeting, which was also attended by Vice President Kamala Harris, who is campaigning to succeed him in the November presidential election.
According to a White House statement, Obama and Harris will meet with the US hostage negotiating team following Hamas' execution of American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages on Saturday to discuss efforts to reach an agreement that will ensure the release of the other hostages.
The US, together with fellow mediators Egypt and Qatar, has spent months advocating for a hostage swap and a cease-fire in the Gaza conflict.
The involvement of regional powers in the negotiation process highlights the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict. Egypt and Qatar have played pivotal roles as intermediaries, leveraging their diplomatic ties with both sides. Their efforts, combined with US pressure, have been instrumental in keeping dialogue channels open despite the ongoing hostilities.
During the October 7 strike on Israel that began the war, rebels took 251 captives, 97 of whom are still in Gaza, including 33 who, according to the Israeli military, are dead.
Hundreds of captives were freed during a one-week truce in November. An Israeli court today halted a strike organized by the country's largest union to increase pressure on Netanyahu's government to release the remaining hostages. Hostage relatives and campaigners have accused Netanyahu's administration of failing to do more to bring the detainees home alive and have demanded a quick ceasefire.
The internal pressure on Netanyahu's government has been mounting, with protests and demonstrations becoming increasingly frequent across Israel. The families of the hostages have become a powerful voice in Israeli society, organizing rallies and media campaigns to keep the plight of their loved ones in the public eye. This grassroots movement has put significant pressure on the Israeli leadership to prioritize the safe return of the hostages, even as the military campaign in Gaza continues.
In addition to seizing hostages, Hamas' October 7 attack killed 1,205 individuals, the majority of whom were civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official numbers. According to the health ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza, Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip has killed more than 40,786 Palestinians since the war began.
According to the UN Human Rights Office, the majority of those killed were women and children.
