On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden expressed profound relief that several hostages who were captured on October 7 when Hamas militants stormed into Israel will shortly be set free by a deal mediated with assistance from throughout the Middle East.
“Once this agreement is fully implemented, I am ecstatic to see some of these courageous individuals reunited with their families,” Biden said in a statement issued by the White House.
Biden commended the “critical leadership” of the leaders of Egypt and Qatar in facilitating the agreement and commended Israel for consenting to a prolonged cessation of hostilities in Gaza to permit the transport of humanitarian aid.
Late in October, two American hostages were liberated as a result of intense diplomatic efforts, he noted.
Biden stated, “Today’s agreement should result in the return of additional American hostages, and I will not stop until they are all free.”
The four-day ceasefire declared on Tuesday, following weeks of full-scale hostilities, represented the primary diplomatic advancement since hostilities commenced over six weeks ago.
By the agreement mediated by Qatar, Hamas will relinquish fifty women and children who were abducted during their raids on October 7. Israel claims that 1,200 people were slain during these operations, the majority of whom were civilians.
According to a senior US official, three Americans, including three-year-old Abigail Mor Idan, are among the fifty individuals slated for intermittent release beginning Thursday.
Biden stated that President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar would maintain close communication “as we work to ensure this agreement is fully implemented.”
“Complete implementation of all facets of this agreement is paramount.”
The hostage agreement, according to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, was “the outcome of ceaseless diplomatic endeavors and concerted efforts throughout the Department and the United States government as a whole.”
“As long as Hamas continues to hold hostages in Gaza, we will not rest, even though this agreement represents substantial progress,” Blinken stated.
While Egypt was crucial in mediating arrangements with Hamas, according to a senior US official who spoke on the condition of anonymity and stated that Qatar played a crucial role in the mediation.
“I do not wish to minimize the significance of the Egyptians’ contribution during critical junctures,” stated the senior official.