'Stop bullshi**ing': Biden scolds Netanyahu as hostage deal talks stall

US President Joe Bidentold his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu to "stop bullshi**ing" him during a telephone conversation as talks surrounding the hostage deal reached an impasse, according to a report in Times of Israel.

Biden scolded the Israeli PMduring their conversation on Thursday (Aug 1) as he believes that Netanyahu was intentionally stalling the truce talks to benefit his position in the country's internal politics.

At the end of Thursday’s conversation, Biden also reportedly said,“Don’t take the president for granted."

The truce and hostage talks have been ongoing for months but no breakthrough has been made so far. However, after Biden's push, a high-level Israeli delegation visited Cairo on Saturday (Aug 3) for indirect talks with American and Egyptian negotiations on reaching a hostage-truce deal.

According to Israeli media reports, the bone of contention remains Netanyahu's position in the talks. There will be no real progress if the Israeli PM does not ease up a bit, Channel 12 said, quoting sources.

All out war in the region?

To make matters worse, the entire Middle East region is on the brink of an all-out war after Israel was allegedly linked to back-to-back assassinationsof Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut.

Washington is especially wary after Iranian Supreme LeaderAyatollah Ali Khamenei said avengingHaniyeh's blood was their 'duty' and vowed retaliation against Israel.

As a precautionary measure, the Pentagon confirmed that the US military had deployed fighter jets and navy warships in the Middle East to protect Israel from the triple whammy.

“Austin has ordered adjustments to US military posture designed to improve US force protection, to increase support for the defence of Israel and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to various contingencies,” the Pentagon said.

White House believes a response from Tehran might be similar to the barrage of ballistic missiles and drones it launched against Israel on April 13. However, the scale might be much bigger as other Israeli enemies join forces.

(With inputs from agencies)

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