President Joe Biden recently expressed his disappointment with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to secure a hostage deal after six captives were found dead in a Hamas terror tunnel in Gaza. The president made this comment during a briefing at the White House, where he also stated that “we’re very close” to proposing another hostage deal and expressed hope for its success.
The situation has sparked protests across Israel, which is a close ally of the United States. These demonstrations come almost 11 months after Hamas launched a deadly attack on October 7th, capturing dozens of hostages in the process. The recent discovery of six dead bodies in a Hamas tunnel has fueled public outrage, with all six victims having been shot at close range and likely killed two to three days prior to the discovery of their bodies.
One of the deceased was Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old Israeli American who attended a music festival in Israel on October 7th and lost his left hand during the attack before being dragged into Gaza. His family has been actively petitioning for his release, appealing to figures such as President Biden, the United Nations, and Pope Francis.
The families of US-Israeli hostages held in Gaza have also spoken out about the need for more pressure on Netanyahu to secure their loved ones’ safe return. These efforts come after several members of Congress called on the Israeli PM to prioritize the release of American captives.
President Biden spoke with Goldberg-Polin’s family on Sunday, expressing his devastation and outrage at the situation. He also acknowledged the steadfastness of Jon and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, Hersh’s parents, as they continue to advocate for their son and other hostages being held in unconscionable conditions.
The 81-year-old president reiterated his commitment to working relentlessly around the clock on a deal that would secure the release of the remaining hostages. On Saturday, Biden emphasized the urgency of ending this conflict and expressed hope for an agreement, stating, “I think we’re on the verge of having an agreement.
Despite these promising words from President Biden, it remains to be seen whether a resolution can be reached that would ensure the safe return of all hostages currently being held in Gaza.
