As the Israel-Hamas war continues, the latest round of cease-fire discussions appears to have reached an impasse.
Meanwhile, after six hostages were found dead in Gaza, protests erupted in Israel. Protesters have lashed out at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and demanded the government bring the hostages home.
Biden, Harris meet with US hostage deal negotiating team
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris met with the U.S. hostage deal negotiating team in the Situation Room on Monday, according to the White House.
Biden and Harris received an update from the negotiation team on the "status of the bridging proposal outlined by the United States, Qatar and Egypt" and "they discussed next steps" in the release of the hostages, the White House said.
Biden also "expressed his devastation and outrage at the murder" of Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages and he "reaffirmed the importance of holding Hamas’s leaders accountable," the White House said.
Thousands of protesters lift flags and placards during an anti-government rally calling for the release of Israelis held hostage by Palestinian militants in Gaza since October, in Tel Aviv, Sept. 1, 2024.
Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images
Officials participating in the briefing included Secretary of State Antony Blinken, CIA Director Bill Burns and national security adviser Jake Sullivan.
Sep 02, 2024, 11:52 AM EDT
Netanyahu doubles down on Israeli troops remaining in Philadelphi corridor
In an Israeli cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doubled down on his stance that he will not agree to a cease-fire and hostage deal that includes the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Philadelphi corridor in Gaza, according to an Israeli official.
Israeli troops remaining in the Philadelphi corridor has been a key sticking point in the ongoing negotiations. Hamas wants a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
"Everyone who says that it is possible to leave Philadelphi for 42 days, knows very well that it will be for 42 years. The world will not allow us to return," Netanyahu said during Sunday night’s cabinet meeting, according to an Israeli official. "Everyone understands the importance of Philadelphi, and [Hamas leader Yahya] Sinwar understands it best. That is why he insists. All smuggling the weapons to Gaza were through Philadelphi. If we change the cabinet's decision, it will be a terrorist award, you will not return the hostages."
The Hostages Families Forum said in a statement that Netanyahu’s comments are "dangerous." The families said Netanyahu's statement means "there will be no deal, and the families will not get to see their loved ones return home."
-ABC News’ Jordana Miller and Dana Savir
Sep 02, 2024, 11:44 AM EDT
Israeli president apologies to Hersh Goldberg-Polin and his parents for not keeping him safe
As Israeli President Isaac Herzog gave a eulogy at the funeral of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, he apologized to the slain 23-year-old.
"I apologize that the country you immigrated to at the age of 7, wrapped in the Israeli flag, could not keep you safe," Herzog said Monday, two days after the Israeli-American's body was recovered in Gaza, along with five others.
The president also asked for forgiveness from Goldberg-Polin's parents, Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin, for not bringing their son home alive.
Israel's President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal Herzog embrace Rachel Goldberg, mother of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was killed in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip, attend their son's funeral in Jerusalem, Sept. 2, 2024.
Gil Cohen-Magen/POOL via AP
He said he learned of "a mother's and father's limitless love" from Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin.
"Jon and Rachel, against the senseless hatred, and unthinkable brutality of Hamas terror, pure barbaric evil, you have taught the world about human dignity," Herzog said. "As a human being, as a father, and as the President of the State of Israel, I want to say how sorry I am. How sorry I am that we didn’t protect Hersh on that dark day. How sorry I am that we failed to bring him home."
Jonathan Polin and Rachel Goldberg, parents of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin whose body was recovered with five other hostages in Gaza, attend his funeral in Jerusalem, Sept. 2, 2024
Gil Cohen-Magen/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Though he said Israel will "continue fighting relentlessly against" Hamas, Herzog stressed that the remaining 97 hostages must be released.
"The time to act is now: Bring them home," Herzog said.
Jonathan Polin and Rachel Goldberg, parents of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin whose body was recovered with five other hostages in Gaza, walk with his sisters Orly and Leebie during his funeral in Jerusalem, Sept. 2, 2024.
Gil Cohen-Magen/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
"Decision-makers must do everything possible, with determination and courage, to save those who can still be saved," he said. "This is not a political goal, and it must not become a political dispute. It is a supreme moral, Jewish, and human duty of the State of Israel to its citizens."
-ABC News’Becky Perlow
Sep 02, 2024, 10:00 AM EDT
Biden says Netanyahu is not doing enough, says 'we are very close' to presenting final deal
When asked by reporters if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is doing enough on the hostage deal, President Joe Biden on Monday replied, "No."
A protester lifts a placard bearing portraits of six Israeli hostages whose bodies were recovered by the army from the southern Gaza Strip, during a rally by families and supporters of the hostages in Tel Aviv, Sept. 2, 2024.
Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images
Asked about presenting a final hostage deal this week, Biden said, "We are very close to that."
"Hope springs eternal," Biden said, when asked what makes this final deal different, but he declined to provide details.
Policemen scuffle with a protester as families and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip since October hold a rally calling for their release in Tel Aviv, Sept. 2, 2024.
Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are meeting with the U.S. hostage negotiation team Monday morning.
