Biden expresses doubts about Netanyahu's commitment to ceasefire in Lebanon

President Joe Biden recently conveyed to his confidants and allies that he doubts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu genuinely seeks to halt the fighting with Hezbollah, growing increasingly frustrated as a proposed cease-fire plan disintegrated.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, Biden felt that Netanyahu had embarrassed both Secretary of State Antony Blinken and himself with his inconsistent stance on the cease-fire, Caliber.Az reports citing Politico.

Initially, Netanyahu had indicated to U.S. officials that he supported a temporary pause in hostilities. However, he subsequently dismissed the cease-fire proposal publicly, which contributed to rising tensions.

This revelation comes against a backdrop of escalating Israeli military actions against Hezbollah, which reached a peak with an airstrike on the militant group's headquarters in Beirut. The timing of the attack, following Netanyahu's passionate speech at the United Nations, significantly escalated the situation in Lebanon and posed challenges to the Biden administration's efforts to broker a cease-fire and prevent a larger regional conflict.

In Washington, senior officials were quick to assess the implications of this major strike. Aides closely monitored potential responses from Hezbollah and Iran, as these could signal a shift toward the all-out war the U.S. has been trying to avoid for the past year.

The recent surge in violence between Israel and Hezbollah has resulted in nearly 700 fatalities and displaced approximately 90,000 people in Lebanon. Israeli Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi remarked that the military is preparing for a possible ground operation, telling troops that they may need to enter enemy territory.

Biden has privately criticized Netanyahu for prioritizing his political ambitions over the needs of his people, especially in light of the ongoing U.S.-led peace negotiations aimed at easing the crisis. Many in the Biden administration have been sceptical of Netanyahu's commitment to a cease-fire, believing that the same approach is now being applied to Hezbollah.

The administration views Israel's abrupt reversal on the cease-fire as indicative of Netanyahu's tendency to say one thing in private discussions and then backtrack under pressure from the far-right factions within his government.

The White House has refrained from commenting on these developments.

This latest strike could further exacerbate tensions between the Biden administration and Netanyahu, as U.S. officials have repeatedly expressed surprise at Israel's bold military actions amidst delicate cease-fire negotiations. The ongoing talks have struggled to persuade Hezbollah to withdraw 8 to 10 kilometres from the Israeli-Lebanese border, which is viewed as a crucial first step toward solidifying a proposed 21-day cease-fire.

By Tamilla Hasanova