President Joe Biden and his administration officials are nearing the end of their ropes with Benjamin Netanyahu — as recent diplomatic frustrations have reportedly caused a rift in relations with the Israeli prime minister, according to a new report.

According to Axios, Biden’s patience is “running out” with Netanyahu as the conflict enters its 100th day. Sources told Axios there is “immense frustration” between the two leaders right now — which became evident during a call in December where Biden angrily hung up on Netanyahu after the PM refused to release Palestinian tax revenues currently being withheld by the Israeli government.

“This conversation is over!” Biden reportedly said while ending the call. Axios also says the two haven’t spoken to each other since that call three weeks ago.

From the report:

The main driver of Biden’s frustration is Netanyahu’s resistance to moving on requests that are U.S. priorities. In addition to the tax revenue issue, Biden and his advisers believe Israel isn’t doing enough to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. They’re also frustrated by Netanyahu’s unwillingness to seriously discuss plans for the day after the war and his rejection of the U.S. plan for a reformed Palestinian Authority to have a role in post-Hamas Gaza.

U.S. officials are now growing increasingly concerned that Israel won’t meet its timetable to transition to low-intensity operations in Gaza by the end of January, based on where things stand in Gaza, particularly in the southern city of Khan Younis. If Israel doesn’t significantly scale down its operations in Gaza — which U.S. officials have been pressing for in hopes of reducing Palestinian casualties — it will likely become increasingly difficult for Biden to maintain the same level of support for Israel’s military campaign

The news comes amid separate reports about how Israel has rejected the Biden administration’s calls for them to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza while allowing humanitarian aid into the areas decimated by the war. The situation in the Middle East has been a political complication for Biden as he seeks reelection, and now, he’s under scrutiny for not seeking congressional approval before American and British forces launched a retaliatory airstrike on Iranian-backed Houthi targets in Yemen.

The post ‘This Conversation is Over!’ Tensions Flare as Biden Reportedly ‘Running Out’ of Patience With Netanyahu’s Handling of War in Gaza first appeared on Mediaite.

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