Biden administration reacts to temporary ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas and release of hostages
President Biden and other administration officials said Tuesday they welcomed the temporary ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that includes the release of hostages.
Qatari negotiators helped broker the deal, which included the Israeli military agreeing to temporarily halt its airstrikes and ground invasion of Gaza for humanitarian purposes. In addition, Hamas agreed to release dozens of hostages at a time and Israel agreed to release Palestinian prisoners on a 3-to-1 ratio. Hamas leaders will release one hostage for every three Palestinians Israel releases from its prisons.
Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued statements supporting the deal between Israeli officials and Hamas terrorists amid the ongoing war in the Middle East.
The president said he welcomes the agreement to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas during its “brutal assault” on Israel on October 7 and is “extraordinarily pleased that some of these brave souls, who have endured weeks of captivity and ordeal, will be reunited with their families once this agreement is fully implemented.
ISRAEL. HAMAS AGREES TO TEMPORARY CEASEFIRE AND RELEASE OF HOSTAGES, INCLUDING THE RELEASE OF 3 AMERICANS
President Biden and other administration officials said Tuesday they welcomed the temporary ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that includes the release of hostages. (Getty)
“I thank Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar and President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt for their critical leadership and partnership in reaching this agreement,” Biden wrote. “And I appreciate the commitment that Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government have made in supporting an extended pause to ensure that this agreement can be fully carried out and ensure the provision of additional humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of innocent Palestinian families in Gaza. “We look forward to speaking with each of these leaders and staying in close contact as we work to ensure this agreement is fully realized. “It is important that all aspects of this agreement are fully implemented.”
Biden continued his statement by saying he has “no higher priority” than ensuring that American hostages around the world are safely released.
“That is why, from the first moments of the brutal Hamas attack, my national security team and I have worked closely with regional partners to do everything possible to secure the release of our fellow citizens,” Biden wrote. “We saw the first results of that effort in late October, when two Americans were reunited with their loved ones. Today’s deal should bring home more American hostages, and I won’t stop until they are all freed. Today’s deal “It is a testament to the tireless diplomacy and determination of many dedicated people throughout the United States government to bring Americans home.”
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Harris said in her statement that she welcomes “the commitment that Israel has made to support an extended pause to ensure that this agreement can be fully carried out and ensure that additional humanitarian assistance reaches civilians in Gaza” and that “the flow aid must increase substantially. and civilians must be protected.” He also called on Hamas to “release all remaining hostages.”
“President Biden and I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans, and we welcome that today’s agreement means some Americans should return home,” Harris wrote. “As I have told the families of kidnapped Americans: as you advocate for the release of your loved ones, you are not alone. We will not waver in our commitment to these Americans.”
Vice President Kamala Harris said she welcomes “the commitment Israel has made to support an extended pause.” (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Israel’s prime minister’s office confirmed that at least 50 women and children taken hostage by Hamas will be freed during a four-day lull in fighting.
In a statement Tuesday night, Blinken wrote that he cannot imagine what the hostages have endured over the past few weeks and that he is grateful that they will soon be reunited with their loved ones.
“Today’s outcome is the result of tireless diplomacy and tireless effort across the Department and the broader United States government,” Blinken said. “I appreciate the leadership and ongoing partnership of Egypt and Qatar in this work. I also thank the government of Israel for supporting a humanitarian pause that will facilitate the transfer of hostages to safety and allow additional humanitarian assistance to reach Palestinian civilians in Gaza “This agreement marks significant progress, we will not rest as long as Hamas continues to hold hostages in Gaza. My top priority is the safety of Americans abroad, and we will continue our efforts to ensure the release of all hostages and their rapid reunification with their families.”
STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS ‘TRANSITION PERIOD’ SHOULD FOLLOW ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR
Israeli President Isaac Herzog also issued a statement saying he supports moving forward with the deal to free the hostages. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Approximately 14,000 people have been killed in Gaza and Israel since Hamas. launched his biggest attack against Israel in decades on October 7, prompting a military response from Israeli forces. Thousands more have been injured and many others have been taken hostage by Hamas and raped, tortured and murdered. About 10 Americans in the region remain missing.
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Israeli President Isaac Herzog also issued a statement regarding the deal with Hamas, saying “[the] “The reservations are understandable, painful and difficult, but given the circumstances I support and support the decision of the Prime Minister and the Government to press ahead with the agreement to release the hostages.”
“This is a moral and ethical duty that correctly expresses the Jewish and Israeli value of guaranteeing the freedom of captives, in the hope that it will be the first step in returning all hostages home,” Herzog wrote. “The State of Israel, the IDF and all security forces will continue to act in every possible way to achieve this goal, along with the restoration of absolute security for the citizens of Israel.”
