Biden's Heated Call with Netanyahu Amid Middle East Tensions
US President Joe Biden reportedly told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to 'stop bulls***ting me' during a tense phone call. Biden criticized the timing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s killing, citing potential jeopardy to ceasefire talks. Tensions have escalated following killings of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders, with the US reinforcing its military presence in the region.
US President Joe Biden reportedly had a heated phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, telling him to 'stop bulls***ting me.' The exchange occurred as Netanyahu informed Biden of ongoing negotiations for a hostages-for-ceasefire deal with Hamas, which had seen little success over months.
Biden has expressed suspicions that Netanyahu might be stalling for internal political reasons.
Biden also criticized the timing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh's killing in Iran, deeming it poorly timed and potentially jeopardizing ceasefire talks and hostage release negotiations.
Unnamed US officials indicated Biden warned assassination could escalate regional conflict.
Tensions escalated with the recent killings of Hezbollah’s Faud Shukr and Hamas’s Ismail Haniyeh, leading to Hezbollah's retaliation against Israel.
US defense officials have arrived in Israel to brace for possible escalation.
Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in the killings, but Netanyahu warned of 'challenging days ahead.' The Indian Embassy in Beirut has advised against travel to Lebanon.