Netanyahu is not doing enough to secure deal with Hamas, says Biden

Joe Biden said yesterday that Benjamin Netanyahu was not doing enough to secure a ceasefire deal with Hamas as protests against the Israeli leader's government suffered a blow when a court ordered an early end to a general strike.

- Julian Borger

The demonstrations, which broke out over the weekend, were prompted by the grim discovery of the bodies of six hostages in Gaza, and brought tens of thousands of Israelis out on to the streets to protest against the government's handling of the war in Gaza and efforts to release dozens of hostages who remain in captivity.

Speaking to reporters, Biden said his administration was "very close" to proposing a "final" hostage deal to both sides that has assumed new urgency since the discovery of the bodies, including that of the IsraeliAmerican Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

The Washington Post had previously reported that the Biden administration was preparing a "take it or leave it" deal that, if it failed, could mark the end of US-led negotiations, in collaboration with Egypt and Qatar, to negotiate a ceasefire between Israeli and Hamas.

Biden did not reveal details of the US proposal and, asked why he thought a new deal could prove successful after months of unsuccessful attempts, said: "Hope springs eternal."

But he also indicated his frustration with the Netanyahu government, saying he did not believe the Israeli PM was doing enough to secure a ceasefire.