The American president left hints about the attitude of the Prime Minister of Israel Joe Biden saying that he is not sure if o Benjamin Netanyahu is delaying agreeing to a cease-fire in Gaza in order to influence next month’s US election.

He was asked the question during his surprise appearance – his first since becoming president four years ago – at a White House press conference on Friday, telling reporters: “I don’t know if he’s trying to influence the election, but he’s not I’m counting on that.”

Then the American president, addressing his long-time ally, said: “No government has helped Israel more than I have. Nobody, nobody, nobody.” “And I think (Netanyahu) should remember that,” he stressed.

However, the US president responded to concerns that Israel could strike Iranian oil fields in retaliation. “The Israelis haven’t figured out what they’re going to do in terms of the strike,” he said. “If I were them, I would think about alternatives to hitting oil wells,” Joe Biden said.

It is noted that Biden caused oil prices to rise on Thursday when he said that the US was discussing with Israel the possibility of strikes on Iran’s oil infrastructure.

In fact, some Democrats are concerned that Netanyahu is ignoring calls from the US president to negotiate a ceasefire and hostage-free deal in order to damage the November election results.

Earlier this week, Democratic Sen Chris Murphy he told CNN: “I don’t think you have to be a hopeless cynic to read some of Israel’s actions, some of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s actions, as they relate to the American election.”

Polls show escalating violence in the Middle East and the failure to secure a diplomatic deal is hurting Biden and his Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris.

The president’s approval rating among Arab Americans has plummeted over the past year, largely due to anger over US support for Israel’s military campaign, and that could hurt the party’s prospects in November.

Biden is pushing for a diplomatic deal between them Israel and her Hamas for months and has stated several times that he is close. A deal before the US election would give the president and the Democratic Party a major boost, but that scenario looks increasingly unlikely.

While the Biden administration has mostly criticized Hamas for failing to reach a deal, the president has also voiced growing public frustration with Netanyahu, who recently said he was not doing enough to reach a deal.

Netanyahu, meanwhile, has dismissed suggestions from Washington that a deal is close.

“Hamas is not there for a deal. There is no deal, unfortunately,” the Israeli prime minister said earlier this month hours after a US official said it was 90% complete.

The relationship between Biden and Netanyahu, who have known each other for decades, is increasingly strained and contrasts with the friendly relationship the Israeli leader had with former President Donald Trump, the current Republican candidate.

Israel, meanwhile, continued its strikes on Gaza and launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon. It has also pledged to respond to an Iranian ballistic missile attack this week.

Also, US President Joe Biden called on Israel to consider other alternatives and refrain from attacks on Iranian oil facilities. “If I were them, I would consider alternatives to hitting oil wells,” Biden said during a rare appearance at the daily White House press briefing.