The statement by Joe Biden on the Gaza situation is as follows: On Monday, 23, Joe Biden stated that any discussion of a ceasefire in Gaza hinges on the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas releasing all hostages kidnapped in Israel during the attack on October 7. Biden said, “The hostages must be freed before we can engage in talks,” during a press conference at the White House.
++ US government official resigns after Biden announces more military support for Israel
When asked whether he would support a “hostages-for-ceasefire” deal, Biden’s response emphasized the importance of the hostages’ release. Just before this statement, Hamas had reported the release of two more women who had been kidnapped in Israel. Previously, on Friday, October 20, the group had released an American mother and daughter, Judith and Natalie Raanan. In total, 218 Israelis are currently held in custody by Hamas.
++ Biden guarantees $100 million in humanitarian aid for Gaza
The United States, a long-time ally of Israel, expressed concerns that a ground incursion into Gaza could delay the release of the hostages. They have been urging the Israeli government to postpone the operation. The potential release of the Israeli hostages is part of ongoing negotiations with the mediation of the Qatari government. Mediators have been making urgent calls to expedite and broker the agreement. In exchange, Israel would need to release 36 Palestinian children and women held in Israeli prisons.
Israeli authorities report that more than 1,400 people, the majority of whom were civilians, lost their lives in the Hamas attack on October 7. This was the deadliest attack since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. In Gaza, the Ministry of Health, under the control of Hamas, claims that over 5,000 people, primarily civilians, died during the Israeli airstrikes in retaliation to these attacks.
