President Biden criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not doing enough to secure a hostage deal with Hamas terrorists.
Biden made these comments to reporters before entering the Situation Room with Vice President Harris to meet with a hostage deal negotiating team following the recent murder of 23-year-old Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages by Hamas.
Upon his return from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Biden was asked by a reporter on the South Lawn of the White House if he believed Netanyahu should do more on the issue, to which he responded, “No.”
FATHER OF ISRAELI-AMERICAN HOSTAGE PLEADS FOR DEAL ‘WITH SATAN’ BEFORE BIDEN, HARRIS ENTER SITUATION ROOM
The White House published a photo of President Biden in the Situation Room. (White House)
Biden expressed optimism about the current negotiations, stating that “hope springs eternal” and that they are close to finalizing a deal. He also mentioned his upcoming national security meeting and travel plans to Pittsburgh later in the day.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Vice President Harris in the Situation Room. (Vice President’s Office)
“Yes. I have spoken to the American hostage … I spoke to his mom and dad, and we are not giving up. We are going to continue to push as hard as we can. Thank you,” Biden said.
Earlier on Monday, Jonathan Dekel-Chen, the father of another hostage, appealed for a deal “with Satan” before Biden and Harris began their meeting.
NETANYAHU MOURNS DEATHS OF SIX HOSTAGES RECOVERED IN GAZA, VOWS TO ‘SETTLE ACCOUNTS’ WITH HAMAS
President Joe Biden walks from Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, in Washington, after returning from Rehoboth Beach, Del. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Dekel-Chen, in an interview on “Fox & Friends,” mentioned that the United States, along with Qatar and Egypt, are working on a deal between Israel and Hamas, emphasizing that Israeli intelligence suggests Hamas’ forces are weakened.
President Biden talks to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, in Washington, after returning from Rehoboth Beach, Del. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
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He urged Netanyahu to finalize the deal to bring home the remaining 101 hostages, including seven Americans, who were taken into Gaza in October 2023.
A labor strike occurred in Israel on Monday following protests denouncing the government’s failure to secure the release of the hostages after 11 months of conflict.
