President Joe Biden was slammed after he hosted a barbecue at the White House Sunday afternoon amid the ongoing war in Israel and reports of Americans being held hostage by Hamas terrorists.

“While Hamas holds Americans hostage, Joe Biden is enjoying a picnic with a live band,” Republican Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley tweeted. He attached with his post a screenshot of a White House Pool report. 

The pool report in question was emailed just after 6 p.m. Sunday evening. It said that a reporter could hear a “live band” in the White House. 

“In the late afternoon and early evening, a live band could be heard coming from the area near the Rose Garden. Your pooler asked why a band was playing. From the White House: The President and First Lady are hosting a BBQ for White House Executive Residence Staff and their families,” the pool reporter wrote. 

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According to the Associated Press, at least 700 people have been killed in Israel, and a further 400 in Gaza, since the Hamas terrorists began the incursion. Israel has officially declared war against the Islamist organization. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reported that American citizens may have been among the people taken hostage by the terrorists, although the reports have not been confirmed.

Scott Taylor, a former Virginia Republican congressman, added: “Given recent events, and certainly with the news of many Americans being held hostage in Gaza, I think I would have canceled the White House BBQ with the live band.”

“This weekend, several Americans were killed in Israel and several more are still being held hostage by Hamas. Today, Joe Biden called a lid at 11:34 a.m. and is having a barbecue,” political commentator and podcast host Benny Johnson posted. 

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Reports of the party came after Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday morning. The president expressed his “deep sympathy” for all the casualties, fatalities and the families deeply impacted during the “unprecedented and appalling assault by Hamas terrorists.”

“They discussed the taking of hostages by Hamas terrorists, including entire families, the elderly, and young children,” the White House said in a readout detailing the conversation. The President emphasized that there is no justification whatsoever for terrorism, and all countries must stand united in the face of such brutal atrocities,” according to Newsweek.