Israel Latest: Biden Sees Israel-Saudi Thaw as Motive for Attack

WATCH: Biden says Hamas and Russian President Vladimir Putin “both want to completely annihilate a neighboring democracy.”Source: APTN

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By Bloomberg News

October 20, 2023 at 5:30 AM UTC

Updated on

October 21, 2023 at 4:06 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

President Joe Biden said Hamas attacked Israel in part to stymie its efforts to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia, his most illuminating comments yet on the impetus for the crisis in the Middle East.

Hamas released two US citizens who had been held captive in Gaza. US and European officials have been pressing Israel to delay a ground invasion of the territory and allow time for talks aimed at freeing hostages. Biden later spoke to the two freed Americans, the White House said on Friday evening.