Joe Biden asked a reporter if she could be hit in the head by a camera as he appeared to avoid a question about the Israeli hostage deal before leaving office in January.

The president met with Isaac Herzog, Israel’s president, at the White House on Tuesday morning to address the conflict with Lebanon, the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas.

Shortly before the meeting began, Neria Kraus, an Israeli journalist, asked Mr Biden: “Do you think we can get a hostage deal by the end of your term?”

The president responded: “Do you think you can keep from getting hit in the head by a camera behind you?”

It is not clear what he meant, but it appeared his answer closed down the question. Mr Biden has been known on some occasions to snap at reporters.

The issue of the hostage deal has come into focus with the appointment of Donald Trump’s transition team.