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During a phone call yesterday, President Biden had a “tense” conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to stop any further escalation and to immediately reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
What’s the deal: The phone call took place following Israel’s assassinations of key Hezbollah and Hamas figures in Beirut and Tehran. According to Israeli media citing sources close to the Prime Minister, President Biden was upset about the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, who was the chief negotiator for Hamas in ceasefire talks. He reportedly warned Netanyahu that if he escalates tensions again, Israel should not rely on the United States for support. In a statement, Israel’s Prime Minister’s office declined to confirm what was said, but added, “Prime Minister Netanyahu told President Biden that he appreciates the American support, and as Prime Minister of Israel he acts solely according to the security needs of the State of Israel.”
What Biden has said about the call: While greeting Americans who were released following a prisoner swap with Russia yesterday, President Biden told reporters that he had a “direct” conversation with Netanyahu. He said, “I had a very direct meeting with prime minister … very direct. We have the basis for a ceasefire. They should move on it, and they should move on it now.”
Why would Biden be mad about Haniyeh dying?: President Biden’s frustration over the assassination of the Hamas leaders death stems from the apparent derailment of ceasefire talks, which his administration has been trying to reach for months. Haniyeh, who was the chief negotiator for Hamas, was killed as the US was saying Israel was close to a deal. His death has sparked anger among some Arab nations involved in the negotiations. A key Qatari official mediating the talks expressed his frustration, saying it is impossible to negotiate in good faith if “one side” kills the other.
What led to Haniyeh’s death: While Israel has not confirmed they killed Haniyeh, US officials believe they were responsible. Haniyeh’s death occurred shortly after a rocket attack by Hezbollah, which resulted in a missile hitting a soccer field and killing more than twelve children. In response to the attack, Israel vowed to retaliate, subsequently killing a top Hezbollah official. Just 24 hours after this official’s death, Haniyeh was killed in Tehran, where he was attending the Iranian president’s inauguration.
