Sharp words targeting an Israeli right-wing leader reflect how deeply invested President Biden is in talks taking place next week to wrap up a ceasefire-for hostages deal.

“Some critics, like Mr. Smotrich, for example, have claimed that the hostage deals are a surrender to Hamas or that hostages should not be exchanged for prisoners. Mr. Smotrich essentially suggests that the war ought to go on indefinitely without pause and with the lives of the hostages of no real concern at all.”