Hillary Clinton reportedly told relatives of hostages held by Hamas that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is more focused on politics than freeing their loved ones in Gaza.
The former Secretary of State made the accusation against Netanyahu, 74, during a meeting at Columbia University on Wednesday with 16 children and siblings of some of the more than 100 hostages who remain in Palestinian territory, according to Haaretz.
Clinton, 76, reportedly urged family members to increase pressure on the Israeli government to reach a deal with Hamas terrorists that would allow more hostages to leave Gaza.
In addition, he accused Netanyahu of being more focused on “politics and his personal survival” than on negotiating the release of hostages.
“As long as hostages are not Israel’s first and foremost objective, then anything I or President Biden say or do has little value,” Clinton said, according to sources who spoke to Ynet News.
Hillary Clinton told families of hostages held by Hamas at a meeting at Columbia University that their loved ones were not Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s top priority. Getty Images Clinton accused Netanyahu of being more focused on “politics and his personal survival” than negotiating the release of hostages. POOL/AFP via Getty Images
The former Democratic presidential candidate also told family members that the Biden administration was making efforts to reach a “Christmas deal” that would lead to the release of more hostages, but that the fate of the deal was ultimately in the hands of Hamas and the Israeli government. government.
Stay on top of news on the war between Israel and Hamas and the global rise in anti-Semitism with The Post’s Israel War Update, delivered directly to your inbox every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Eight Americans are believed to be among the 132 hostages Hamas has refused to release since the terrorist group’s deadly Oct. 7 attack on the Jewish state.
More than 100 people were freed by Hamas during a temporary ceasefire with Israel that began on November 24 and ended on December 1.
Mia Leimberg carries her dog Bella as they are led by two Hamas terrorists during their release from captivity November 28, 2023. via REUTERS More than 100 people were freed by Hamas during a temporary ceasefire with Israel that began on November 24. November and ended on December 1. AFP via Getty Images
“The work that families and the forum do is very important and influential. You have to keep doing it. Put pressure on all actors involved,” Clinton allegedly told the hostages’ families.
Hamas officials said Thursday that they would not discuss any hostage exchange deal “except after a complete cessation of aggression.”
Categories: Trending
Source: vtt.edu.vn