WASHINGTON — On Monday, President Joe Biden expressed his view that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs to intensify his efforts to negotiate a hostage deal and achieve a cease-fire in Gaza.

In response to a question regarding whether Netanyahu should be more proactive, Biden answered with a definitive “no,” speaking to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House.

He refrained from providing further details.

Biden mentioned to reporters that negotiations in the Middle East are “very close” to finalizing an agreement between Israel and Hamas.

This statement followed the discovery of Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s body in a tunnel near Rafah, with his funeral held in Jerusalem on Monday.

Goldberg-Polin was among six hostages held by Hamas whose remains were retrieved by the Israeli military on Sunday, which led to widespread protests and a general strike aimed at pressuring Netanyahu to approve a deal.

“I’ve spoken to the American hostage, I communicated with his family, and we’re not stopping. We’re committed to pushing as hard as we can,” Biden remarked.

In response to a question from YSL News for further clarification regarding Biden’s remarks about Netanyahu, a U.S. official stated, “The President has made it clear that Hamas is accountable for the deaths of Hersh and the others, and leaders of Hamas will face justice for their actions. He is also urging the Israeli government to act urgently to secure the release of the remaining hostages.”

Seven Americans are still among the 101 hostages held by Hamas, who were taken from Israel by Hamas militants nearly 11 months ago on October 7, 2023. The Israeli government estimates that about a third of those missing might be deceased.

Following Biden’s remarks, Netanyahu addressed the public on Monday, admitting to the families of the six deceased hostages that he sought their forgiveness. “I apologize that we could not return them alive. We were very close, but ultimately it was not possible,” he conveyed in Hebrew, as translated.

Later, when asked about his comment regarding Netanyahu needing to do more as he departed the White House for a Labor Day event, Biden did not provide a response.

Nearly two weeks prior, Biden had urged Netanyahu to address a specific aspect of the hostage negotiations during a phone conversation. There have been no further calls between the two leaders, although a U.S. official noted that their teams are maintaining communication.

“We’re still negotiating — not directly with him, but with my associates from Qatar and Egypt,” Biden stated on Monday afternoon in response to inquiries during Netanyahu’s press conference.

For weeks, negotiators have been shuttling back and forth in Cairo in efforts by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar to mediate a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.

On Monday morning, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris convened with U.S. national security officials in the Situation Room shortly after Biden returned to the White House. In the afternoon, he departed for Pittsburgh to campaign for Harris.

Upon his arrival at the White House that morning, Biden informed reporters He mentioned that he would receive updates on the protests occurring in Israel and would provide his insights afterward.