Monday saw President Joe Biden expressing dissatisfaction with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts regarding negotiations to release hostages held by Hamas. Upon his return to the White House from vacationing in California and Delaware, Biden voiced his concerns. He conveyed optimism that a deal for the release of over 100 hostages, believed to be in Hamas’s custody, was near fruition, expressing a persistent hope for a successful negotiation.
When questioned about Netanyahu’s engagement in securing the agreement, Biden plainly stated, “No.”
In response, an Israeli representative contended that the pressure ought to be directed at Hamas by Biden to negotiate and free the hostages, rather than placing the onus on Israel. According to Israel’s stance, any agreement that impedes the possibility of completely dismantling Hamas is unacceptable.
The Israeli representative was particularly puzzled by Biden’s approach, highlighting that Netanyahu had accepted proposals from the U.S. to bridge the negotiations as early as May 31 and again on August 16. The critique of Netanyahu by Biden was also deemed perilous, especially given the recent execution of six Israeli hostages, including an American, by Hamas.
The backdrop to Biden’s remarks was the discovery by Israeli forces of the remains of Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five others, who had been held by Hamas. Their bodies were located in a tunnel under Rafah in the southern part of Gaza. The Israeli Defense Forces reported the hostages were killed shortly before their discovery. Following the grim discovery, Hamas released footage of the six deceased hostages, using it as leverage to force Israel into a ceasefire agreement. This strategy was analyzed by Joe Truzman, a senior analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, as an attempt by Hamas to exploit the ongoing unrest within Israel.
Earlier in the year, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris had urged Netanyahu and his government to cease military actions in Rafah, the area where the bodies were found and other hostages were rescued from Hamas militants. Harris elaborated on the critical stance the U.S. took against any significant military undertakings in Rafah. In a television interview, Biden emphasized the importance of refraining from military incursions into Rafah, stating a cessation of weapon supplies to Israel intended for such operations.
This revelation came after the U.S. held back a shipment of bombs to Israel earlier.
