Biden is under heavy fire for letting this happen.
Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) voiced his disapproval of President Joe Biden’s acceptance of the terms of a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Gaza. Phillips, who is vying for the Democratic presidential nomination against Biden, criticized the agreement for not including the release of all American hostages held in Gaza.
According to the Washington Examiner, the ceasefire, confirmed by Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, involves a four-day halt to the conflict in Gaza, mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. The terms include the release of 50 women and children held in Gaza in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners, also women and children, held by Israel.
Phillips, in an interview with CNN’s Abby Phillip, expressed his disagreement with the current terms of the deal. He emphasized that, if he were in the position of the president, he would not accept the agreement without the release of all American hostages. Phillips specifically pointed out the urgency of the situation, as nine Americans, including at least one child, have been held for six weeks.
While acknowledging the release of some individuals under the deal, Phillips asserted that every American citizen should be part of that group. He criticized the delay in securing the release of American hostages and found it “absurd, shocking, and dismaying” that such a situation persisted.
The ceasefire, set to take effect on Thursday according to officials from both Israel and Gaza, also involves humanitarian aid trucks delivering critical supplies to Gaza, including fuel. Qatar expressed its commitment to ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and protect civilians, crediting Egypt and the U.S. for their assistance in the negotiations.
Phillips insisted on the importance of extracting all Americans before agreeing to any terms, highlighting the need for decisive action by the American president. He criticized the historical deference to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and called for addressing the issue of terrorists holding hostages earlier.
While acknowledging the need for a ceasefire, Phillips emphasized that it should only occur after the release of all hostages. He also expressed concern over the toll on Palestinian civilians and called for a reassessment of the relationship with Netanyahu’s government, characterizing it as having received “too much deference” for too long. Phillips concluded by stating his hope for a change in Israeli leadership for the sake of safety and security.