Washington, Sept 2 (Reuters) — President Joe Biden has publicly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his handling of negotiations to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Biden’s remarks came after Israeli forces discovered the bodies of six hostages, including 23-year-old American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin, in Gaza tunnels over the weekend. The hostages were reportedly killed by Hamas militants.
Biden’s comments have intensified scrutiny of his administration’s strategy for a Gaza ceasefire. He stated unequivocally that Netanyahu was not doing enough to facilitate a deal, though he did not provide further details. This has led to increased calls from Israelis for Netanyahu to expedite efforts to bring the remaining hostages home.
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In response, Netanyahu has rejected Biden’s criticism, arguing that the focus should be on pressuring Hamas rather than Israel. “We’re asked to make concessions after hostages are murdered? This message to Hamas is clear: kill more hostages,” Netanyahu said at a news conference in Jerusalem.
Biden, who met with the U.S. hostage negotiation team and expressed profound outrage at the hostages’ deaths, hinted that a final proposal for a hostage and ceasefire deal might be imminent. “We’re very close to that,” he told reporters, though he remained cautious about the prospects for success.
Senior Israeli officials described Biden’s pressure on Netanyahu as “remarkable” and potentially dangerous, given the recent execution of hostages by Hamas. A U.S. official countered that while Biden acknowledges Hamas’s responsibility for the hostages’ deaths, he is also urging the Israeli government to act with urgency.
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Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri interpreted Biden’s criticism as an acknowledgment of Netanyahu’s failure to secure a deal. He suggested that Hamas might respond positively to proposals that include a permanent ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
The controversy has led to public demonstrations in Israel, including a general strike called by the largest trade union to pressure the government into reaching a deal. Ongoing negotiations mediated by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt have yet to produce an agreement, despite months of efforts and Biden’s previous proposals.
