Biden has said negotiators were close to reaching a deal that would free hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip and halt the fighting in the Palestinian enclave to allow a surge of humanitarian aid, according to Reuters.

“So many innocent people have been killed, so many communities have been destroyed. Palestinian people deserve peace, a right to determine their own futures. Israel deserves peace and real security. The hostages and their families deserve to be reunited,” Biden said. “And so we’re working urgently to close this deal.”

Protesters shouting “war criminal” greeted Biden outside the State Department, some with signs and some throwing red liquid intended to look like blood.

Biden said he had helped Israel defeat adversaries including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The US president also hailed Washington’s support for Israel during two Iranian attacks in 2024.

“All told, Iran is weaker than it’s been in decades,” he added, noting the collapse of the Syrian Assad government. “There’s no question that our actions contributed significantly.”

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