U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday night called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from Air Force One to congratulate him on the elimination of Hamas terror master Yahya Sinwar.
The president “commended the IDF for its excellent operation,” and both leaders “agreed that there is an opportunity to advance the release of the hostages and [to] work together to achieve this objective,” according to a statement by Netanyahu’s office.
Last week, Biden and Netanyahu spoke for the first time since Aug. 21, according to White House readouts of their communications.
“On Gaza, the leaders discussed the urgent need to renew diplomacy to release the hostages held by Hamas,” and Biden “discussed the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the imperative to restore access to the north, including by reinvigorating the [aid] corridor from Jordan immediately,” according to a U.S. statement.
The call lasted about 50 minutes.
In September, Biden said that Netanyahu wasn’t doing enough to free the hostages. The prime minister responded to a similar question from a reporter during a speech, in which he said that “I was asked whether I am not doing enough to the release of hostages. Well, I want to set the record straight.
“On April 27, Secretary of State Blinken said that ‘Israel made an extraordinary, generous offer for a hostage deal.’ On May 31, Israel agreed to a U.S.-backed proposal. Hamas refused,” Netanyahu said. “On Aug. 16, Israel agreed to what the United States defined as a ‘final bridging proposal.’ Hamas refused again.
“On Aug. 19th, Secretary Blinken said, ‘Israel accepted the U.S. proposal. Now Hamas must do the same.’ On August 28—that’s five days ago, five days ago—Deputy CIA Director [David S. Cohen] said that ‘Israel shows seriousness in the negotiations. Now Hamas must show the same seriousness.’
“I want to ask you something. What has changed in the last five days? What has changed? One thing: These murderers executed six of our hostages. They shot them in the back of the head. That’s what changed,” Netanyahu said. “And now after this, we’re asked to show seriousness? We’re asked to make concessions? What message does this send Hamas? It says: Kill more hostages. Murder more hostages and you will get more concessions.
“The pressure internationally must be directed at these killers. At Hamas. Not at Israel. We say ‘Yes’. They say ‘No’ all the time, but they also murdered these people, and now we need maximum pressure on Hamas,” he continued. “I don’t believe that either President Biden or anyone serious about achieving peace and achieving the release would seriously ask Israel—Israel—to make these concessions. We’ve already made them. Hamas has to make the concessions.”