Biden blasted for pressuring Netanyahu, not Hamas terrorists following murder of Jewish hostages

President Biden’s response to whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is doing enough to secure the freedom of hostages held by Hamas sparked criticism. Netanyahu denies responsibility for the murders of hostages but emphasizes efforts to bring them home. The U.S. is pressuring Israel for a hostage deal, which is seen as favoring Hamas. While protests in Israel demand a deal with Hamas, experts believe more pressure should be placed on Hamas to release the remaining hostages. Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman criticizes Biden for not focusing on Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. The focus remains on freeing the hostages, but there is a lack of action to achieve this goal. Aviva Siegel, a former Hamas hostage in Gaza, is pleading for the release of her 65-year-old American husband, Keith, who is still being held captive. She described the brutal conditions in which she was held and expressed concern for the hostages still in captivity. Despite the Israeli government’s insistence on holding sections of Gaza for security reasons, Siegel believes more should be done to bring the hostages home. Experts, like former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Joel Rubin, believe that a diplomatic deal for the release of the hostages is the best way to ensure their safe return, as Hamas has shown its willingness to kill hostages. The focus should be on bringing the hostages out alive, rather than giving in to the demands of terrorist groups.