President Joe Biden on Friday speculated that the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel was spurred by the United States progressing diplomatically in the region, particularly the Biden administration’s effort to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia.
“I cannot prove what I’m about to say,” Biden said. “But I believe one of the reasons why Hamas struck when they did was they knew that I was working very closely with the Saudis and others in the region to bring peace to the region by having recognition of Israel and Israel’s right to exist.”
GLOOM: CONSUMER SENTIMENT FALLS AND INFLATION EXPECTATIONS RISE
Biden’s remarks came toward the end of his press conference on the first day of a four-day pause in the Israel-Hamas war to release around 50 hostages held by the terrorist organization based in Gaza.
The war began on Oct. 7 after Hamas seized more than 200 hostages and killed nearly 1,200 in border communities, prompting weeks of retaliation by Israeli forces and a ground campaign in Gaza that has resulted in thousands of dead Palestinians, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry.
Biden’s comments aren’t the first time he’s linked the attack to his administration’s growing progress with Saudi Arabia. During a campaign fundraiser last month, Biden again said Hamas “knew I was about to sit down with the Saudis.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Friday evening that it received a list of hostages to be released Saturday, though it did not provide an exact count or list of names.
The first round of hostages released by Hamas saw 24 people released, with Israel releasing 39 Palestinian prisoners.
