From the Liveblog of
Sunday, August 4, 2024
Biden said to tell Netanyahu killing of Haniyeh was poorly timed, could prevent deal and spark regional war
Adding to previously reported details of the heated Thursday phone call between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden, The New York Times reports that the latter said the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran was “poorly timed, coming right at what the Americans hoped would be the endgame” of talks for a ceasefire and hostage release deal.
Citing an unnamed US official, the newspaper says Biden argued the operation could spark a regional war. Carrying out the operation in Tehran, Biden reportedly specified, could trigger the wider regional war that he has been trying to avert.
Netanyahu, the report says, denied being the side impeding the negotiations, placing the blame on Hamas, as the premier’s office has been publicly contending.
