Biden-Netanyahu war of words over Ismail Haniyeh killing, Gaza ceasefire talks

Even as the US commits to defend Israel against all threats from Iran and its proxies after the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, reports of private conversations between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signal rising tensions between the two leaders.

Biden reportedly told Netanyahu to stop "bullshitting" him during a phone call on Thursday, where he blamed the Israeli PM for sabotaging ceasefire talks and delaying hostage rescue with the assassination in Tehran.

Netanyahu insisted he was not trying to block the deal, and argued that the death of Hamas' main negotiator would only interrupt progress for a few days.

Speaking to a reporter a day after Haniye's killing, Biden admitted that he was "very concerned."

"I had a very direct meeting with the prime minister today — very direct. We have the basis for a cease-fire. He should move on it and they should move on it now," Biden said, adding that the assassination "has not helped."

Despite these concerns, US has bolstered its military presence in the Middle East, deploying additional warships and fighter jets to support Israel, in the event of an attack by Iran.

By targeting Hamas' top diplomat on Iranian soil, and goading Tehran into open war, Netanyahu has forced US and other western allies to step up support to the Jewish state, and has successfully thwarted Biden's efforts to hold Israel to account for thousands of civilian deaths in Gaza.