At times, Biden has publicly expressed optimism that a deal could be reached, and at others, he’s publicly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not doing enough on that front. The administration has since become much more forceful in faulting Hamas for scuttling attempts at a deal.

In response to a question about potentially reaching a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, Joe Biden asked a reporter about getting hit with a camera.

Social media users tore into President Biden on Tuesday after he mocked an Israeli journalist in the Oval Office for asking him if he will be able to free hostages from Hamas.

President Biden asked President-elect Trump during their two-hour meeting on Wednesday to work together in order to push for a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. Why it matters: Biden wants to use the two months he has left in office to break the prolonged deadlock in the negotiations over a Gaza deal.