President Biden said Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not doing enough to secure a hostage deal after six captives were found dead in a Hamas terror tunnel in Gaza.
Biden, returning to the White House after a two-week vacation in California and Delaware, was asked by a reporter whether Netanyahu had done enough and replied, “No.”
He was quickly hailed by the families of the dead hostages.
“We urge Prime Minister Netanyahu to demonstrate similar resilience, determination, and commitment to the lives of the hostages,” the Hostages Families Forum Headquarters said in a statement.
Biden also said “we’re very close” to proposing another hostage deal this week and that “hope springs eternal” on whether it will be successful.
Israelis staged protests Monday across the Jewish state — a close US ally — over their government’s inability to secure a hostage deal with Hamas, nearly 11 months since the terror group launched its deadly attack on Israel on Oct. 7 and took dozens hostage.
The outcry was triggered by six hostages — including Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin — being found dead Saturday in a Hamas tunnel. All were shot at close range and likely killed two to three days before their bodies were found, Israel said.
Goldberg-Polin, 23, was dragged into Gaza after attending a music festival in Israel on Oct. 7 and getting his left hand blown off during the attack. His family had been petitioning for his release in front of Biden, the United Nations and Pope Francis.
The families of US-Israeli hostages being held in Gaza previously spoke to Congress about the US putting more pressure on Netanyahu to get their loved ones home, arguing that should be the Israeli PM’s priority.
Biden said he spoke to Goldberg-Polin’s family Sunday.
“I am devastated and outraged,” Biden wrote in a statement after the meeting.
“I have gotten to know his parents, Jon and Rachel. They have been courageous, wise, and steadfast, even as they have endured the unimaginable,” the president said. “They have been relentless and irrepressible champions of their son and of all the hostages held in unconscionable conditions. I admire them and grieve with them more deeply than words can express. I know all Americans tonight will have them in their prayers, just as Jill and I will.”
The 81-year-old also said, “Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes” and that his administration “will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.”
On Saturday, Biden said, “It’s time this war ended” and “I think we’re on the verge of having an agreement.”
