Hillary Clinton reportedly told family members of Hamas-controlled hostages 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 the more than 100 hostages who remain in the Palestinian territories, according to Haaretz.
Clinton, 76, reportedly urged family members to increase pressure on the Israeli government to strike a deal with Hamas terrorists that would see more hostages released from Gaza.
He further accused Netanyahu of being more focused on his “politics and personal survival” than the hostage release negotiations.
“As long as hostages are not the primary and primary target for Israel, then anything that I or President Biden says or does is worthless,” Clinton said, according to a source who spoke to Ynet News.
Hillary Clinton told the families of Hamas-controlled hostages at a meeting at Columbia University that their loved ones were not Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s top priority. Getty Images Clinton also accused Netanyahu of being more focused on his “politics and personal survival” than the hostage release negotiations. POOL/AFP via Getty Images
The former Democratic presidential candidate also told family members that the Biden administration was working to reach a “Christmas deal” that would lead to the release of more hostages, but that the fate of the deal ultimately rested in the hands of Hamas and Israel. government.
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Eight Americans are believed to be among the 132 hostages that Hamas has refused to release since the terrorist group’s deadly attack on the Jewish state on October 7.
More than 100 people were released 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 escorted by two Hamas terrorists during their release from custody November 28, 2023. via REUTERS More than 100 people have been freed by Hamas during a temporary ceasefire with Israel that began on November 24. and ends on Dec. 1. AFP via Getty Images
“The work done by the family and the forum is very important and influential. You have to keep doing it. Put pressure on all the players involved,” Clinton reportedly told the hostage’s family.
Hamas officials said on Thursday they would not discuss any hostage exchange deal “except after the aggression is completely stopped.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/