News Brief
Swarajya Staff
Aug 04, 2024, 12:56 PM | Updated 12:56 PM IST
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In a move bound to raise eyebrows, US President Joe Biden has reportedly admonished Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone conversation urging him to "stop bullshitting" amid stalled hostage deal negotiations, as per a report by WION.
Biden accused Netanyahu of deliberately delaying the truce talks for domestic political gains. Biden also warned Netanyahu, saying, “Don’t take the president for granted,” at the end of their conversation.
The truce and hostage negotiations have been ongoing for months without significant progress. Following Biden's intervention, a high-level Israeli delegation travelled to Cairo for indirect talks with American and Egyptian officials to advance the hostage-truce deal.
Compounding the situation, the Middle East is on the verge of an all-out war after Israel was allegedly involved in the recent assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and top Hizbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut.
In response, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared it their 'duty' to avenge Haniyeh's death and vowed retaliation against Israel.
The US, concerned about potential escalations, has deployed fighter jets and navy warships in the Middle East to protect Israel from threats posed by Hamas, Iran and Hizbollah.
The White House anticipates that Tehran's response might be akin to the missile and drone attacks it launched against Israel on 13 April, but potentially on a larger scale with other Israeli adversaries joining in.