Biden Expresses Relief and Gratitude for Hostage Deal Between Israel and Hamas

US President Joe Biden expressed profound relief on Tuesday as a deal was reached, with the help of Qatar and Egypt, to free hostages taken during an incident involving Hamas operatives entering Israel on October 7. Biden conveyed his gratitude for the "critical leadership" of Qatar and Egypt in reaching this significant agreement.

"I am extraordinarily gratified that some of these brave souls... will be reunited with their families once this deal is fully implemented," Biden stated in a release from the White House.

Biden extended his thanks to the leaders of Qatar and Egypt for their crucial roles in the negotiation process and also commended Israel for agreeing to an extended pause in the fighting in Gaza. This pause is intended to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Notably, two American hostages had been freed in late October as part of intense diplomatic efforts.

The announced four-day truce, following weeks of intense conflict, marks the first major diplomatic breakthrough since the onset of the fighting over six weeks ago.

As part of the Qatar-brokered deal, Palestinian operatives will release 50 women and children who were kidnapped during the October 7 raids. Israel reports that 1,200 people were killed in these incidents, with the majority being civilians.

A senior US official disclosed that three Americans, including three-year-old Abigail Mor Idan, are among the 50 individuals set for staggered release starting Thursday. President Biden expressed his commitment to securing the release of all American hostages, stating, "Today's deal should bring home additional American hostages, and I will not stop until they are all released.

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