Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is calling off plans to send an Israeli delegation to Washington. The move comes after the U.S. decided against vetoing a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war without conditioning the deal on the release of hostages held by the militant group.
A statement from Netanyahu’s office said the United States’ decision harms attempts to free hostages. The Israeli delegation was set to meet with Biden administration officials to discuss a planned military operation in southern Gaza. The resolution that passed today calls for a ceasefire through the rest of Ramadan, which will end on April 9th. Netanyahu’s decision comes after the U.S. decided against vetoing a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.
The prime minister argued the resolution threatens attempts to free hostages held by the militant group. Miller pushed back, claiming the resolution does include calls to release those still held captive in Gaza. The Israeli delegation was set to meet with Biden administration officials this week to discuss a planned military operation in southern Gaza.
The Biden administration is defending its decision to allow the U.N. Security Council to pass a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. abstained from the vote because the resolution does not condemn Hamas.
The resolution, unlike others in the past, does tie a temporary ceasefire to the release of hostages held by the militant group. Kirby added that the administration was “perplexed” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to cancel an Israeli delegation’s trip to Washington this week. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said he doesn’t understand why the Israeli delegation is no longer coming.
The Biden administration is defending its decision to allow the U.N. Security Council to pass a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. abstained from the vote because the resolution does not condemn Hamas. The resolution, unlike others in the past, does tie a temporary ceasefire to the release of hostages held by the militant group. Kirby added that the administration was “perplexed” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to cancel an Israeli delegation’s trip to Washington this week.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller called the move surprising and unfortunate. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Israel could be putting itself in danger.
