House Speaker Johnson says Biden's Israel policies are to blame for prolonged hostage talks

House Speaker Mike Johnson lambasted President Joe Biden's Israel policies on Wednesday, accusing the Biden administration of micromanaging its ally's response to the war with Hamas, and thus delaying hostage negotiations. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused the United States of withholding key weapons shipments, after the Middle Eastern country "crossed a red line" and bombed Rafah.

The U.S. did pause one shipment of bombs to Israel last month, out of concern that the weapons would be used in highly populated areas. But all other shipments have continued as normal, according to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

“The failure to resolutely support Israel in its military objectives to eliminate Hamas has made it harder to help facilitate the release of those being detained, including American hostages that Hamas brutally kidnapped on October 7, 2023,” Johnson wrote in a letter to the White House, The Hill reported.

“Instead of focusing on bringing home the Americans and Israelis held hostage, your administration has spent months pressuring and attempting to micromanage Israel," he added.

The Biden administration recently claimed that Israel likely violated international law when it sent missile strikes on Gaza.

The president also recently increased pressure on both sides of the war to sign a temporary ceasefire agreement that would force Hamas to release 120 hostages, including eight Americans.  However, Johnson claimed Biden should focus more on upping the pressure on Hamas rather than Israel.

The speaker also requested that the White House brief Congressional leadership by July 10, on the administration's plans to release U.S. hostages, support Israel in its attempt to defeat Hamas, and deter Lebanon’s Hezbollah on Israel's northern border.

The letter comes as both chambers of Congress prepare for Netanyahu's controversial address to a joint session of Congress on July 24.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.