President Joe Biden has called a lid before noon on Monday, as the situation in the Middle East escalates. This move comes as Israel continues to be under attack from Hamas – a terrorist organization backed by Iran – and as Americans are being held hostage in the Gaza Strip.
The White House called for a lid, which means that the president will not be participating in any public events or making any public statements for the day. This is unusual, as the president’s schedule is typically jam-packed with meetings and events. However, it seems that the escalating situation in the Middle East has prompted the president to take a step back and focus on handling the crisis.
While countless Americans are being held hostage in Gaza, with attacks on civilians in Israel ongoing, President Biden is hosting a BBQ. pic.twitter.com/EZvDKaMqku
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) October 8, 2023
According to the White House pool report, President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden had hosted a party at the White House the night before, complete with a live band. This was before the situation in the Middle East took a turn for the worse, and it seems that the president is now putting any further celebrations on hold.
Earlier on Monday, Biden had a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the call, Netanyahu reportedly told Biden that Israel was not willing to negotiate with Hamas, as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) prepare for a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip. This decision comes after countless rockets have been fired into Israel from the Gaza Strip in recent days, leaving many citizens injured and dead.
In addition to the violence and destruction, the State Department has confirmed that at least nine Americans have been killed by Hamas terrorists over the weekend. It is unclear how many other Americans are being held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, as the number has not been officially released.
Political tensions have been high between the United States and Iran, as the latter continues to back the terrorist organization Hamas. This has put added pressure on President Biden to handle the situation effectively and ensure the safety of American citizens.
BREAKING: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told President Joe Biden that Israel has no choice but to launch a ground operation in Gaza.
“We have to go in. We can’t negotiate now. We need to restore deterrence,” Netanyahu said.
The report claims that Biden did not… pic.twitter.com/xs9x285iYs
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 9, 2023
The current crisis in the Middle East has sparked worldwide concern, with many countries and organizations calling for an immediate end to the violence. President Biden has been urged to take a firm stance and address the situation as soon as possible.
In light of the deteriorating situation, the president has also faced criticism for not taking a stronger stance earlier on in the conflict. Many believe that the United States, being a major player in the global community, should have intervened sooner to try and prevent the escalation of violence.
With the lid called for the day, it is clear that President Biden is now focused on navigating the delicate situation in the Middle East. The White House has not released any further statements at this time, but it is expected that they will continue to monitor the situation closely and take necessary actions to protect American citizens.
Biden State Department spokesman Matt Miller says nine Americans have been killed and an unknown number “are unaccounted for” in Israel — but “cannot confirm” if Americans have been taken hostage by Hamas terrorists. pic.twitter.com/PQrK4k0hzb
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 9, 2023
