President Biden expressed skepticism about the possibility of reaching an agreement including a temporary ceasefire and the release of detainees in Gaza by Ramadan. However, he mentioned an upcoming “frank” meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding humanitarian aid entry into Gaza.
During a press briefing in Pennsylvania, where he continues his election campaign, President Biden stated that achieving a ceasefire “seems difficult.” He also expressed “grave concern” about potential violence in occupied East Jerusalem during Ramadan, according to CNN.
Mediators had hoped to secure an agreement before Ramadan, expected to start next Monday, but negotiations remain stalled. Hamas announced on Thursday that its delegation involved in talks for a pre-Ramadan ceasefire had left Cairo to consult with the movement’s leadership.
In contrast, President Biden mentioned informing Netanyahu that they would have a “frank” meeting regarding the issue of humanitarian aid to Gaza, as seen in a video clip released on Friday.
The remarks from Biden came on Thursday evening as he was in the U.S. Capitol to deliver a State of the Union address, indicating his frustration with dealing with Netanyahu on the Gaza issue, according to Reuters.
In the clip shared by Democratic advisor Sawyer Hackett on social media platforms, Biden is seen talking with Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Bennet urges Biden to continue pressing Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza. Biden responds, “I told him, Bibi, I said, ‘I may not change this, but we’re going to have a meeting, a frank meeting.’ The megaphone is working here. All right. Well, that’s good.”
When pressed by reporters about the incident as he boarded Air Force One bound for Philadelphia, Biden initially responded, “I didn’t say that,” seemingly referring to the fact that the comment was not part of the Gaza portion of his State of the Union address. However, when reporters persisted, Biden said, “You listened to me, folks.”
