Netanyahu received bipartisan messages during US trip to end war: WSJ
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The newspaper reports that the Israeli prime minister aimed in his US visit to secure support from both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump for "Israel’s" ongoing war on Gaza.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to address a joint meeting of Congress at the US Capitol on July 24, 2024 in Washington, DC (AFP)
The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that, despite the strong support demonstrated during Netanyahu's visit to the United States, it also highlighted the impatience from both sides of the American political spectrum regarding the occupation regime's war in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the US this week with the aim of improving his public image and securing support from both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump for "Israel’s" ongoing war on Gaza, the newspaper said.
Read more: 'Israel' pressures Biden to expedite weapons during Netanyahu visit
Despite receiving applause from a packed House chamber during his visit, he was met with a unified message from leaders across both major US political parties—Democrats and Republicans alike—who urged him to "end the fighting."
Read more: Unofficial death toll may be over 90,000: US medics in Gaza
Netanyahu is currently facing a difficult decision: whether to pursue a ceasefire agreement, despite the risk that a temporary pause could destabilize his fragile coalition government.
At the same time, the Palestinian Resistance group Hamas has recently demonstrated more willingness to negotiate, showing flexibility that might facilitate a deal.
Meanwhile, Israeli security officials believe that this moment is opportune for reaching an agreement to return the captives.
Vice President and presidential nominee Kamala Harris met with Netanyahu on Thursday in the White House, marking her first official meeting with a foreign leader since assuming candidacy.
Following the meeting, Harris told reporters it was time to reach a Gaza ceasefire deal immediately, saying, "It is time for this war to end and the end in a way where Israel is secure, all the hostages are released, the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza ends and the Palestinian people can exercise their right to freedom, dignity, and self-determination."
Read more: Amid theatrics about Gaza, Harris starts campaign with lies: Hamas
Axios cited earlier an unnamed Israeli official as expressing concern that Harris' remarks and Netanyahu's reaction to them might negatively impact negotiations.
The news site reported separately today that CIA Director William Burns is scheduled to meet with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani, Mossad Director David Barnea, and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel in Rome to discuss the Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal.
The meeting will focus on devising a strategy to advance the negotiations for a ceasefire and exchange deal, the report mentioned, noting however that there will be no discussions on the remaining unresolved issues.
