U.S. President Joe Biden has expressed dissatisfaction with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to negotiate a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas, saying he does not believe Netanyahu is doing enough to secure the release of captives held in Gaza.
During a press briefing at the White House, Biden indicated that he is close to presenting a final proposal for a deal aimed at the release of the captives. However, he also hinted at a growing frustration with the current state of negotiations, which have reached an impasse largely due to Netanyahu’s insistence on maintaining a presence in the Netzarim and Philadelphi Corridors.
The stalemate has drawn increasing criticism from both sides. Over the weekend, Israeli occupation forces found the bodies of six captives from Gaza, including Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old American-Israeli. The discovery has sparked outrage and intensified calls for action, with critics questioning the Biden administration’s strategy in pursuing a ceasefire in Gaza, and Israelis mounting pressure on Netanyahu to release the remaining captives.
When asked directly whether Netanyahu was doing enough to secure a deal, Biden’s response was a blunt, “No.” He declined to elaborate further but confirmed that a proposal for a final deal could be presented as early as this week, signaling that the U.S. is eager to break the deadlock and achieve a resolution.
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