Senior Israeli officials commented on the announcement of talks by US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“It is strange that the US president is putting pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu, who accepted the US proposal on May 31 and the US offer of mediation on August 16, and not on Sinwar, who continues to vehemently reject any agreement. The US president’s words are especially dangerous when they “come just days after Hamas executed six Israeli hostages, including an American citizen,” they said.
Earlier, Kursor reported that US President Joe Biden expressed doubts about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts during negotiations with Hamas. Biden stressed that although negotiations for the return of the hostages are already close to being successfully concluded, he is not confident that the Israeli leader is doing enough to achieve this goal.
“We are very close to a deal on the hostages and I don’t think Netanyahu is doing enough,” the US president said.
Moreover, the White House recently confirmed that the United States is actively working to make progress on this issue. In this regard, on Monday Biden met with the American negotiating team working to reach an agreement with Hamas. The updated presidential agenda also included Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss next steps following the tragic murder of six hostages, including American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Paulin, by Hamas militants in Gaza.
The meeting discussed ongoing efforts to free the remaining hostages. The United States, with the support of mediators from Egypt and Qatar, has been trying for several months to negotiate a hostage exchange and a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
