Biden Says Netanyahu "Not Doing Enough" to Bring Hamas Hostages Home

United States President Joe Biden said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not doing enough to reach a deal to free hostages in Gaza along with a ceasefire in its war with Hamas.

Biden spoke to reporters two days after six hostages, including one Israeli-American, were found after being killed by Hamas. Asked about progress toward a ceasefire, Biden responded, “We’re negotiating." When asked about hostages being held by Hamas, he reiterated, “We’re in middle of negotiations.”

Israel’s largest tre union, Histrut, called for general strike, first since start of war. It aimed to shut down or disrupt major sectors of economy, including banking, health care and country’s main airport. But a court ruled it h to end early after government called strike politically motivated.

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis poured into streets Sunday in grief and anger after six hostages were found de in Gaza. families and much of public blamed Netanyahu, saying y could have been returned alive in a deal with Hamas to end  nearly 11-month-old war.

But ors support Netanyahu’s strategy of maintaining military pressure on Hamas, whose October 7 attack into Israel triggered war. y say it will force militants to give in to Israeli demands and ultimately annihilate group.