President Joe Biden expressed frustration with Israel’s lack of cooperation in delivering aid to Palestinian civilians, putting pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept the terms proposed by the Biden administration to end the ongoing war.
During a press conference following a NATO summit, Biden stated that Israel had not always been cooperative in efforts to deliver aid to Gaza. He highlighted his administration’s efforts to secure a ceasefire and negotiate the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Despite facing challenges in the negotiations, Biden remains optimistic about the progress being made towards a peace deal. The proposed agreement would involve a temporary ceasefire followed by negotiations for a permanent resolution.
The international community, including the G7, has condemned Israel’s recent settlement expansion, adding to the pressure on Netanyahu to accept the proposed ceasefire deal.
Netanyahu’s insistence on maintaining the option to restart the war to dismantle Hamas’ capabilities has been a sticking point in the negotiations. However, there is growing support within Israel for accepting the deal and freeing the remaining hostages held by Hamas.
Biden criticized Israel’s right-wing government for hindering aid delivery to Gaza, emphasizing the need for a two-state solution to achieve long-term peace in the region. He rejected the idea of reoccupying Gaza and stressed the importance of ending the occupation for a sustainable future.