In an unprecedented move, the White House has accused Israel's finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, of endangering the lives of Israeli and U.S. hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. The strong criticism from White House spokesperson John Kirby suggests that the administration believes Smotrich is attempting to sabotage the ongoing negotiations for a hostage and ceasefire deal in Gaza.

President Joe Biden, along with the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the President of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, issued a joint statement on Thursday, urging both Israel and Hamas to engage in a final round of negotiations next week to finalize the Gaza hostage and ceasefire agreement. Recognizing the need to ease regional tensions, the U.S. officials emphasized that this deal is crucial for stability in the region.

During a White House press briefing, Kirby read a statement expressing his strong opposition to Smotrich's comments, deeming them "absurd and outrageous." The finance minister's remarks were seen as detrimental to the ongoing efforts to secure the release of the hostages and achieve a lasting ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

It is noteworthy that Smotrich, along with ultranationalist National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, plays a crucial role in maintaining stability within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition. Their stance on the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal could have significant implications for the negotiations and for the overall stability of the Israeli government.

The call for negotiations comes at a time when regional tensions have escalated even further. Recent events, including Israel's targeted assassinations of a top Hezbollah military commander in Beirut and Hamas' political leader in Tehran, have heightened the need for a comprehensive resolution to the Gaza crisis.

U.S. officials have emphasized that a hostage and ceasefire agreement is the only viable path towards calming regional tensions. The joint statement from President Biden, the Emir of Qatar, and the President of Egypt underscores the urgency and importance of reaching a final agreement next week.

As the delicate negotiations continue, the international community will closely monitor the developments and hope for a positive outcome that ensures the safety of the hostages and paves the way for a sustained peace in the region. The stakes are high, and the White House's criticism of Smotrich's remarks reflects the administration's commitment to a successful resolution of the Gaza hostage crisis.