Biden Tried to Halt Gaza War, Netanyahu Outmaneuvered Diplomatic Pressure

A New York magazine investigation reveals intense diplomatic tensions between the Biden administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the Gaza conflict. The probe, based on interviews with former White House officials and diplomats, details Biden's efforts to pressure Israel to stop the war amid escalating violence and hostage crises.

The conflict peaked as the Israeli Defense Forces prepared to enter Rafah, with many hostages held by terrorist groups. Early in the fighting, senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, expressed discomfort over the scale of destruction in Gaza. In April 2024, relations deteriorated further after an Israeli drone strike mistakenly hit a vehicle belonging to the World Central Kitchen, linked to a Biden associate, prompting the president to plan stronger diplomatic measures against Israel.

Ahead of the planned Rafah invasion, Biden intermittently blocked heavy bomb shipments to Israel as a signal to Netanyahu. The administration even considered a rare, direct speech by Biden addressing the Israeli public and opposition, urging a halt to the war and a hostage deal to avoid severe U.S.-Israel fallout. However, Netanyahu and Minister Ron Dermer successfully thwarted this move by proposing negotiations that convinced the U.S. government Israel was open to a deal.

Following the blocked speech, Netanyahu and Dermer imposed additional conditions on the hostage agreement, citing the need for more time to achieve critical security goals. Ultimately, Biden lost the 2024 presidential election to Donald Trump, diminishing his influence over Israeli policy on the ground.