Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to visit the White House on Thursday to meet with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. This meeting comes at a crucial time as efforts are being made to end the nine-month war in Gaza, which has resulted in over 39,000 casualties. Additionally, there are Israeli hostages, including remains of deceased individuals, still held by Hamas.
President Biden is pushing for a proposal to release the remaining hostages in Gaza over three phases, which could be a significant achievement for his administration. Vice President Harris is also involved in these negotiations and is aiming to demonstrate her capabilities as a potential commander in chief.
Following their discussions, Biden and Netanyahu will meet with the families of American hostages. Harris will have a separate meeting with Netanyahu to address various issues.
Netanyahu is facing pressure from different fronts, including demands for a cease-fire from hostage families and resistance from far-right members of his coalition against any deal that could hinder Israeli forces' actions against Hamas.
In a speech before Congress, Netanyahu defended Israel's actions during the war and highlighted the country's fight against Iran-backed Hamas. He also acknowledged the support received from both the Biden and Trump administrations.
Security has been heightened at the White House ahead of Netanyahu's visit, with additional fencing and barriers erected. Meanwhile, criticism has been directed at Vice President Harris for missing Netanyahu's address to Congress, with some Republicans calling it a 'disgrace.'
Harris has a history of strong support for Israel, with her first overseas trip as a senator being to Israel. She has emphasized her personal connections to the country and has been aligned with Biden's stance on the conflict, although she has at times advocated for tougher rhetoric.
Critics are closely watching Harris' interactions with Netanyahu and her statements on the Gaza conflict, particularly in light of electoral battlegrounds where this issue has become significant.
