Biden criticizes Netanyahu by saying he's not putting in enough effort to get a hostage deal

Back in June, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Biden put forward a proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza that Israel agreed to but Hamas didn't.

Published: September 2, 2024 12:57pm

President Joe Biden on Monday criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not doing enough to get a deal to release all the hostages amid the Israel-Hamas war. 

Outside of the White House, a reporter asked Biden, "Do you think he's doing enough?" in reference to Netanyahu. 

"No," Biden answered. 

Over the weekend, Israel recovered the bodies of six hostages who were executed by Hamas shortly before Israeli forces were able to rescue them from a tunnel under Rafah in Gaza. Tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in Tel Aviv with people demanding more action to bring hostages home. 

Back in June, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Biden put forward a proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza that Israel agreed to but Hamas didn't. 

"Since the President put the proposal forward, countries throughout the region and around the world – as well as international organizations – have all endorsed it. Israel has accepted it. And the only outlier in this moment – the only outlier in this moment – is Hamas," Blinken said.

"So my message to governments throughout the region, to people throughout the region is: If you want a ceasefire, press Hamas to say yes. If you want to alleviate the terrible suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, press Hamas to say yes," the statement continued.

Again in August, just two weeks ago, Blinken said that “Israel accepts the bridging proposal,” which was an effort by mediators in Doha, Qatar, to close the remaining gaps between the two sides. “It’s now incumbent upon Hamas to do the same,” he said.

Biden said that mediators are getting "very close" to presenting a final hostage deal as early as this week. 

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