By Alex Rossi, international correspondent
Joe Biden’s remarks don’t so much represent a shift in tone but a strengthening of his criticism of the Israeli approach.
It’s clear also from the undertone that there is now no love lost between the American president and the prime minster of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu.
The comments, it should be noted, were recorded last week – two days after seven aid workers were killed in a botched Israeli attack.
Mr Biden has become increasingly frustrated by the mounting civilian casualties and the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza.
But the comments go beyond that and speak to the lack of Israeli strategy for the day after the war.
From Washington, Israel appears to be making many of the same mistakes the US made after 9/11.
Driven by anger and revenge they’ve smashed up Gaza but have no plans for the peace.
Hamas may have been badly hit but they’ve not been defeated.
An insurgency out of the ashes seems probable without a concrete plan.
Israel, at the moment, seems unable or unwilling to countenance what such a bargain would look like.
