But he has become increasingly critical of Israel’s tactics, saying last week he believes the campaign in Gaza is “over the top,” one of his sharpest condemnations to date of the military effort against Hamas.
Some officials now wonder how much longer Biden will withhold public criticism of Netanyahu as the war rages on.
The president’s comments last week on Israel’s tactics reflected sentiments he has been voicing behind the scenes for a while, one person familiar with the matter said.
The majority of a 45-minute phone call between Biden and Netanyahu on Sunday was about the hostages deal, according to an official.
Netanyahu, meanwhile, offered Biden praise over the weekend as the president was combatting questions about his age and mental acuity.
Persons:
Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, “ Bibi, ” Biden, Robert Hur’s, he’s, “, ” Netanyahu
Organizations:
CNN, Sunday, United, ABC News
Locations:
Gaza, Israel, Rafah, United States