Gaza War - Netanyahu faces opposition from Harris and Biden
US-President Joe Biden pushed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu towards a swift agreement on a ceasefire and hostages release in the Gaza conflict during a meeting at the White House. According to the White House, Biden emphasized the need to "fill in the remaining gaps, quickly conclude the agreement, bring the hostages home, and achieve a lasting end to the war in Gaza." Netanyahu is expected to meet with the Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, in Florida today.
Netanyahu's meeting with Biden: Hostage relatives "more optimistic than before"
Family members of American-Israeli hostages expressed newfound hope for a deal with the Islamist Hamas following a separate meeting with Biden and Netanyahu, according to a report by US news portal "Axios," citing three sources present at the meeting. Netanyahu reportedly assured the relatives, in the presence of Biden, that Israel would present an updated proposal for an agreement within a few days.
Indirect negotiations, with the US, Qatar, and Egypt acting as mediators, are set to continue in Doha next week. Netanyahu had previously refused to announce an agreement during a speech to both chambers of the US Congress, against the hopes of the 115 hostages remaining in Gaza.
Kamala Harris takes a firm stance
For Vice President Kamala Harris, who missed Netanyahu's speech to the US Congress due to a campaign engagement, the meeting with Netanyahu marked her first significant test in her role as a potential Democratic vice presidential nominee in the presidential campaign.
"It's time to end this war," Harris said in a televised statement after her personal talks with Netanyahu. "We cannot allow ourselves to remain frozen in the face of suffering, and I will not be silent."
Harris described the conversation with Netanyahu as open and constructive. She also reaffirmed her "unwavering commitment" to Israel's security. "Israel has the right to defend itself. It's about how it does it," Harris said. Although she generally supported Israel's right to self-defense as vice president, Harris made it clear on Thursday that she had lost patience with Israel's military actions.
Biden and Harris urged Netanyahu to strengthen humanitarian aid in Gaza and improve the protection of civilians. It is necessary to "remove all obstacles for the flow of humanitarian aid and restore the basic needs of the needy," Biden said.
Trump: With me as president, the events of October 7 would not have happened
Before today's meeting with Netanyahu, Trump spoke in a Fox News program regarding the conflict in Gaza and Netanyahu's upcoming visit to Florida at his Mar-a-Lago estate. "I hope he wraps it up quickly," Trump said.
With him as US-President, the Hamas massacre in Israel on October 7 would not have happened, Trump claimed. "October 7 would never have happened. If I had been President, it wouldn't have had a chance. Iran would have been bankrupt, they wouldn't have given money for Hamas or Hezbollah. It simply wouldn't have happened - no chance," the 78-year-old said. The massacre was the trigger for the war in the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu praises Trump before US Congress
Netanyahu mentioned Trump in his speech before the US Congress on Wednesday in praising terms. He went into detail about Trump's achievements during his presidency from 2017 to 2021. In particular, he highlighted the so-called Abraham Accords. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed diplomatic agreements with Israel under Trump's mediation in 2020, making them the first Gulf states to do so.
"I would also like to thank President Trump for all the things he has done for Israel," Netanyahu continued in his speech, "from the recognition of Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights, the countering of Iranian aggression, to the recognition of Jerusalem as our capital and the relocation of the American embassy."
Details about the meeting are still unknown. Trump announced the invitation on his online platform Truth Social. Netanyahu reportedly requested the meeting. Biden could view the meeting as an affront. Trump, who is in the heated phase of his re-election campaign, creates headlines with high-ranking guest receptions once again. Recently, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban was received at his residence.
- During the meeting with Biden, Netanyahu promised to present an updated proposal for a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza within a few days.
- Kamala Harris, in her discussion with Netanyahu, urged Israel to strengthen humanitarian aid in Gaza and improve the protection of civilians.
- Trump, prior to his meeting with Netanyahu, claimed that under his presidency, the Hamas massacre in Israel on October 7 would not have occurred.
- Netanyahu, in his speech before the US Congress, praised Trump for his achievements during his presidency, including the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and the relocation of the American embassy.
- Hamas, the Islamist group controlling Gaza, has been a point of contention in the discussions between the USA, Israel, and other involved parties, aiming for a swift agreement on a ceasefire and hostage release.
