Biden's Determination: Pledges to Bring All Hostages Home and Won't Rest
President Biden celebrates the first batch of hostages freed in Gaza, commending it as a promising beginning With 13 Israelis released, the focus now shifts to securing the freedom of 50 more captives, including three Americans, in the days ahead
President Joe Biden expressed his satisfaction with the initial release of hostages in Gaza, describing the release of 13 Israelis on Friday as a positive step towards the ultimate goal of securing the release of at least 50 women and children hostages, including three Americans, in the coming days.
"It's just the beginning, but things have been progressing positively so far," Biden stated during a press conference in Nantucket on Friday afternoon. He also acknowledged the release of several Thai nationals who had been abducted by Hamas.
Three American citizens, including 4-year-old Abigail Edan, who are classified as women and children, were not among those released initially. However, Biden has reaffirmed his dedication to bringing them back home. "We will continue our efforts until these hostages are safely returned and we have answers about their whereabouts," he stated.
Biden expressed his hopes of receiving the names of the hostages from the second wave for their release on Saturday. He remained optimistic, saying he expected it to happen soon. Although he was unaware of the exact timing of the release of the three Americans, he maintained his expectation that it would occur. He stated, "My hope and expectation is it will be soon" regarding the potential release of the three Americans.
Biden hinted that the ceasefire could be extended to allow for the safe return of more than 50 hostages, stating, "I believe there is a genuine possibility." When questioned about the status of the 10 Americans still missing, he admitted, "We are uncertain about their well-being."
He gave a grim evaluation of Hamas' goals when questioned about his trust in the Palestinian militant group.
"I have no faith in Hamas to do anything correctly. The only thing I have confidence in Hamas to do is to react to pressure," he stated, and later mentioned that Hamas "couldn't care less" about innocent Palestinian civilians.
The president hypothesized that Hamas' October 7 attack was partly driven by their awareness of his efforts to work with Saudi Arabia and other regional players towards bringing about peace and recognition of Israel's right to exist. He emphasized his commitment to continue these efforts.
Biden portrayed the initial release of hostages as a result of extensive US diplomacy and numerous calls with world leaders in the region, including the emir of Qatar, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. He expressed gratitude for their personal partnership during the painstaking negotiations and pledged to remain in close contact with them to ensure the deal's success. Additionally, he stated that he would maintain involvement in the implementation process, staying in constant communication with his team.
Biden also highlighted the humanitarian aid being sent to Gaza during this ceasefire, emphasizing the urgency in providing essential supplies such as fuel, medicine, cooking gas, and food. He stated that US special envoy David Satterfield is closely monitoring the delivery of aid and has requested regular updates on the situation. In addition, Biden emphasized the importance of a two-state solution for achieving lasting peace in the region.
As we turn our eyes to the future, it is imperative that we break the cycle of violence in the Middle East. We must reaffirm our commitment to pursuing a two-state solution where Israelis and Palestinians can coexist in two separate states, each with equal freedoms and dignity. This goal is more crucial than ever. Hamas carried out this terrorist attack out of fear of Israelis and Palestinians living in peace alongside each other," he stated.
Biden shared that he and the first lady were holding the hostages in their thoughts and prayers as they start the process of healing, showing compassion for the suffering the group has endured.
