Biden's Open Criticism of Netanyahu; There Are 'Compelling Reasons' to Believe He Prolonged the Conflict for Political Power

The President of the United States stated that there are 'compelling reasons' to believe that Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, has prolonged the conflict with Hamas to maintain his political power. Joe Biden, in an interview with Time magazine published on Tuesday, June 5, acknowledged that his relationship with Netanyahu has become tense with the rising death toll in Gaza. In the interview, Biden emphasized: 'My main disagreement with Netanyahu is that after the war in Gaza ends, Israeli forces should not re-enter Gaza. We oppose this action, and we also have differing views on the sovereignty of a re-established Palestinian state in Gaza after the war.' Last week, Biden announced a proposal for a multi-phase ceasefire in Gaza and sought global support for it. Hamas announced a few days later that it could not accept any agreement unless Israel committed to a permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of its forces from Gaza. Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that Israeli forces will not leave Gaza without destroying Hamas. As the eighth month of the war in Gaza approaches, Netanyahu faces various demands from Biden and other world leaders to end the war. While Western officials are calling for an immediate end to the war, right-wing lawmakers in the Israeli parliament have threatened to withdraw their support for Netanyahu and topple his government if he accepts a ceasefire without completely destroying Hamas forces in Gaza. The war between the Israeli army and the Islamist group Hamas began after a terrorist attack by this group, supported by the Islamic Republic, on October 7, which resulted in the massacre of 1,200 people, mostly civilians, including women, children, and the elderly. In this terrorist attack, 253 individuals were taken hostage and brought to the Gaza Strip, of which about 120 are still held captive by Palestinian militants. Netanyahu's advisor: 'We will accept the proposal to end the war, but Hamas must be destroyed.' Alam Saleh: 'If Tel Aviv accepts this ceasefire plan, it will mean Israel's complete defeat and the end of Netanyahu's political career.' Netanyahu's largest coalition partner supported a possible agreement for the release of hostages. Kirby: 'The U.S. expects Israel to agree to the proposed plan to end the war.' Netanyahu accepted the invitation from U.S. lawmakers to speak in Congress. Netanyahu's advisor: 'Biden's plan for Gaza is not a good agreement, but Israel will accept it.' Biden's ceasefire proposal for Gaza has put Netanyahu under increasing pressure domestically. Families of Israeli hostages welcomed Biden's proposed plan to end the war in Gaza. Netanyahu: 'A permanent ceasefire will not be established without the destruction of Hamas and the release of all hostages.'