‘Will not stop working, until every hostage is back’: Joe Biden on release of detainees

Following the freeing of 13 hostages by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, US President Joe Biden has pledged unwavering commitment to ensuring every single captive’s safe return to loved ones.

Joe Biden on release of hostages in Israel

Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Biden underscored the 13 hostages, including one American, released a day earlier under an Egypt-brokered Gaza truce deal advanced through intense US diplomacy over weeks.

“We will not stop working until every hostage is back with their families. This has been the product of much hard work and personal engagement from me and my team,” he stated.

#WATCH | On the release of hostages by Hamas from Gaza, US President Joe Biden says, "We will not stop working until every hostage is returned to their loved ones..."

(Source: The White House) pic.twitter.com/jWfH2vRXvU

— ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2023

The president said that he remained in close contact with regional leaders like Qatar, Egypt and Israel through repeated conversations to facilitate the agreement.

Further, Joe Biden also expressed his special concern for 4-year-old Israeli-American Avigail Idan, who tragically witnessed her mother’s murder in Hamas’ October 7 attack. She was shielded by her father as he too was shot dead before the terrified child was kidnapped.

“What she endured is unthinkable,” said Biden, revealing he pressed for her release in a call with Qatar’s Emir given she marked her birthday in captivity on Friday.

Will the ceasefire be extended?

With Israel has agreed to extend the 4-day Gaza truce by an extra day for every 10 more hostages freed, Biden expressed hope more would follow the initial batch of hostages allowed to exit.

He added he had pushed for a pause to enable hostage releases alongside expanded humanitarian access, with nearly 200 aid trucks entering the battered coastal strip over three days.

#WATCH | On the release of hostages by Hamas from Gaza, US President Joe Biden says, "Under this deal, the fighting in Gaza has now been paused for three days. Over that time, 58 hostages have been released including Thai, Filipino, and Russian nationals..." pic.twitter.com/H42Gle0zPM

— ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2023

“Innocent children in Gaza also suffer greatly from this war unleashed by Hamas,” he noted, highlighting the heavy civilian death toll. Biden reiterated his commitment to reviving Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts post-conflict.

As hostages reunited with their relatives once the convoy crossed into Israel, Biden said all regional players seem amenable to finding an enduring resolution ensuring Hamas no longer controls Gaza while protecting civilians.

US diplomats plan to build on the tentative opening and goodwill generated by the temporary deal expiring Monday night. But firm guarantees securing lasting peace after years of cyclical warfare still remain elusive.