President Joe Biden welcomed the initial release of hostages held in Gaza, calling Friday’s release of 13 Israelis a good start toward the upcoming goal of securing at least 50 women and children hostages, including three Americans.
“It’s just the beginning, but so far it’s been good,” Biden told reporters on Nantucket Friday afternoon. He also highlighted the release of several Thai nationals who had also been kidnapped by Hamas.
The three U.S. citizens who fall into the category of women and children, including 4-year-old Abigail Edan, were not part of that first release, but Biden renewed his commitment to bringing them back.
“We will not stop until we bring these hostages home and get answers about where they are being held,” he said.
Biden said he expected soon to receive the names of those among the second wave of hostages who will be released Saturday, saying he was “optimistic about the anticipation.” He said he did not know when the three Americans would be released, but confirmed he still expected that to happen.
“I hope and expect that it will happen soon,” he said regarding the possibility of the release of the three Americans.
Biden suggested it’s possible the pause in fighting could extend for a few more days to bring back more than 50 hostages, telling reporters: “I think the chances are real.”
But when asked if the 10 unlocated Americans are all alive, he said: “We don’t know all of their conditions.”
And he offered a grim assessment of Hamas’ goals when asked whether he trusts the Palestinian militant group.
“I don’t trust Hamas for anything good. I only trust Hamas to respond to pressure,” he said, later adding that Hamas “doesn’t care” about innocent Palestinian civilians.
The president also speculated about the reasons for the Hamas attack on October 7: “I believe one of the reasons Hamas struck at that time is because they knew I was working closely with the Saudis and others in the region to bring peace by recognizing Israel and its right to exist,” he said, adding that he would continue to work on these efforts.
Biden presented the initial release of the hostages as the result of intensive U.S. diplomacy and numerous calls he made with world leaders in the region, including the Emir of Qatar, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Egyptian Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. He thanked each of them for their “personal partnership” during the painstaking negotiations that lasted weeks and noted that he would remain in close communication with leaders to ensure the deal remained on track. He said he was in constant contact with his team and would remain “engaged” throughout the implementation process.
Biden also stressed the need for a two-state solution in order to achieve peace in the region in the long term.
“As we look to the future, we must end this cycle of violence in the Middle East. We must renew our resolve to pursue this two-state solution where Israelis and Palestinians can one day live side by side in a two-state solution with an equal measure of freedom and dignity, two states for two peoples, and it is more important than ever. Hamas launched this terrorist attack because it fears nothing more than the Israelis and the Palestinians living side by side in peace,” he said.
Biden said he and the first lady were keeping the hostages in their prayers as they began a “long journey of healing,” expressing empathy for the trauma the group experienced.