Netanyahu not doing enough to free Gaza hostages, says Biden

President Joe Biden has openly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not exerting sufficient effort in negotiating a ceasefire and hostage release agreement with Hamas. This statement comes in the wake of intense discussions and a new proposal described by U.S. officials as a “final offer” to Netanyahu. The urgency of the situation was underscored by a meeting between Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and U.S. negotiators in the White House Situation Room, aimed at refining this proposal. This meeting coincided with widespread protests across Israel, triggered by the tragic deaths of six hostages in Gaza over the weekend, highlighting the public’s frustration and demand for action. When questioned about Netanyahu’s commitment to securing the release of the hostages, Biden’s response was succinct: “No.” Despite this, he affirmed that the U.S. would continue its efforts, pushing “as hard as we can” to facilitate a deal. This latest proposal, according to reports from the Washington Post, has been framed by U.S. officials as a “take it or leave it” option, indicating the critical juncture reached in these negotiations.