Biden caught on a hot mic saying he told Israel PM Netanyahu they needed to have a 'come-to-Jesus meeting'

• Biden heard on a hot mic discussing wanting a "come-to-Jesus meeting" with the Israeli prime minister.

• His comment hinted at his growing frustration with Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel's siege of Gaza.

• Sources recently told NBC News that Biden had privately referred to Netanyahu as an "asshole."

President Joe Biden was caught on a hot mic saying that he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu they needed to have a "come-to-Jesus meeting."

Biden made the comment while speaking to Colorado Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet on the House floor following his State of Union address on Thursday night.

Bennet complimented Biden on his speech and encouraged him to keep pressure on Israel over humanitarian issues.

Biden responded by telling Bennet that he had told Bibi, using a nickname of the leader of the Jewish state, that the pair needed to have a "come-to-Jesus meeting."

A come-to-Jesus moment involves "a sudden realization, comprehension, or recognition that often precipitates a major change," per the Merriam-Webster dictionary

The president was then swiftly interrupted by an aide, who warned him that his comments were being recorded on a hot mic.

"I'm on a hot mic here," Biden said. "Good. That's good."

Biden's comments hint at his growing frustration with the Israeli leader as the nation continues with its siege of the Gaza Strip that has left more than 30,000 people dead, many of them civilians.

Hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza are close to starvation, United Nations officials say, as Israel refuses to open up more aid routes.

In his State of the Union address, Biden sought to strike a delicate balance between affirming his support for Israel and simultaneously urging the nation to do more to alleviate suffering in the enclave.

"Israel must do its part," Biden said. "Israel must allow more aid into Gaza and ensure that humanitarian workers aren't caught in the crossfire."

"To the leadership of Israel, I say this: Humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip."

Biden said that he said this as "a lifelong supporter of Israel, my entire career," adding: "No one has a stronger record with Israel than I do."

Biden's frustration with Netanyahu appears to be mounting both in public and private — sources recently told NBC News that Biden had privately taken to referring to Netanyahu as an "asshole."

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