As pressure mounts, Biden reportedly remains unwilling to condition aid to Israel

US officials tell NBC News that despite increasing pressure, US President Joe Biden remains unwilling to fundamentally shift his policy in support of Israel by placing conditions on military aid to Jerusalem.

Biden has privately expressed skepticism to some Democrats that withholding weaponry to Israel would be effective, arguing that while Jerusalem would like more security aid, it does not currently need it, NBC News reports, citing a source familiar with the matter.

The president has also expressed concerns that shifting from his support for Israel could risk alienating his Jewish supporters.

“You don’t want to send a mixed signal that they’re going to turn their backs on Israel,” one Democratic donor who heard the president’s private comments tells NBC News.

Unnamed officials tell the network that Biden is unlikely to shift his strategy — even after Thursday’s mass-casualty incident surrounding an aid convoy in north Gaza — as long as he thinks that a hostage deal is still possible.

Asked whether they have faith in Israel’s investigation into the incident, a source familiar with the matter tells NBC News that Washington didn’t have the ability to rely on much else, given its limited resources on the ground.

Other officials expressed doubt that Israel would provide a full account of what unfolded in Gaza City.

One US official says there is “no question” the incident will lead to an even more intense breakdown of trust between the parties negotiating a hostage deal, echoing Biden’s own comments on the matter.

Talks are now being conducted remotely after an extended period of in-person negotiations.