President Biden’s decision to withhold offensive weapons if Israel attacks Rafah has scrambled cease-fire talks. But much of the various sides’ recriminations may be to gain advantage — or shift blame.
Author: PETER BAKER
Biden’s Pause on Weapons Tests Ties to Israel
President Biden hopes the decision to withhold the delivery of 3,500 bombs will prompt Israel to change course in its war in Gaza.
Biden Puts Arms Shipment to Israel on Hold Amid Dispute Over Rafah Attack
The United States withheld 3,500 bombs last week out of concern that they might be used in a major assault against the southern Gaza city, officials said.
Inside the White House Scramble to Broker a Deal in Gaza
The flurry of actions underscores how fluid the situation in the region is as President Biden and his team try to ultimately end the war that has devastated Gaza.
Biden and Netanyahu Discuss Possible Cease-Fire and Hostage Deal
The president spoke with the Israeli prime minister on Sunday, the same day Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken left for his latest trip to the Middle East.
Biden Seeks to Head Off Escalation After Israel’s Successful Defense
The president told Israel that the interception of nearly all of the Iranian drones and missiles used to attack it constituted a major victory, and so further retaliation might not be necessary, U.S. officials said.
Biden Says Israel Has Improved Aid Flow to Gaza but Must Do More
Mr. Biden said he was “blunt and straightforward” with Israel’s leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, but declined to say explicitly whether he would condition future U.S. arms shipments on the response.
In Threatening Israel, Biden Hopes to Avoid a Rupture
The president has put Israel’s leader “on probation,” as a veteran diplomat put it. The threat is not idle, aides said, but he wants to force a course correction rather than follow through.
Biden Urges Egypt and Qatar to Push Hamas to Agree to Hostage and Cease-Fire Deal
During a call on Thursday, Mr. Biden also pressed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel to make a concerted effort for a deal.
Israel to Add Gaza Aid Routes After Biden’s Tense Call With Netanyahu
The president denounced the killing of seven humanitarian workers in a tense call with Israel’s prime minister. Within hours, Israel agreed to increase aid deliveries.