US President Biden Welcomes Ceasefire Deal, Comments on Release of 50 Hostages by Hamas

United States President Joe Biden expressed his satisfaction on Tuesday morning regarding the agreement to accept a ceasefire in exchange for the release of approximately 50 hostages held by the Hamas militant group. The deal, brokered with the involvement of regional partners, drew gratitude from President Biden.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the release of hostages abducted by the Hamas terror group during the October 7 attack in Gaza. The statement outlined the approval of the first stage of the release, involving at least 50 hostages, predominantly women and children, over a four-day period, during which a pause in the fighting will be observed.

President Biden, taking to his social media platform, welcomed the secured deal and expressed his gratitude that the hostages would soon be reunited with their families. He stated, “I welcome the deal to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas during its brutal assault against Israel on October 7th. I’m gratified that these brave souls, who have endured an unspeakable ordeal, will be reunited with their families once this deal is fully implemented.”

The U.S. President extended his thanks to regional partners, emphasizing their critical role in ensuring the success of the deal. “I thank Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar and President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt for their critical partnership in reaching this deal. And I appreciate Prime Minister Netanyahu’s commitment in supporting an extended pause to ensure this deal can be fully carried out,” he shared on his social media platform.

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken echoed the sentiments, expressing appreciation for the release of 50 hostages, including Americans, from captivity in Gaza. He acknowledged the partnership of Qatar and Egypt, as well as Israel’s support for a humanitarian pause allowing additional aid to reach Palestinians in Gaza.

Despite the permitted ceasefire, Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized that the Gaza conflict has not concluded. He asserted, “The Israeli government, the IDF, and the security forces will continue the war to return all the abductees, complete the elimination of Hamas, and ensure that Gaza does not renew any threat to the State of Israel.”

While Hamas has agreed to allow 50 hostages to return, there are still approximately 150 individuals under Hamas control, with over 200 hostages initially abducted during the October 7 offensive into Israel. President Biden asserted that efforts will not cease until all hostages are released, emphasizing the safety of Americans held hostage as a top priority.