Biden addresses hostage release, with Americans still in custody
U.S. President Joe Biden pauses during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the war between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, last month. (Miriam Alster/Pool Photo via AP, File
President Biden on Friday praised the release of multiple hostages that were held captive by Hamas in Gaza amid a pause in fighting between the terror group and Israel.
"It's only a start but so far it's gone well," Biden said from Nantucket, Massachusetts. "All of these hostages have been through a terrible ordeal and this is the beginning of a long journey of healing for them."
He said more hostages are expected to be released in the coming days and that much needed aid is being delivered to the people inside the Gaza Strip.
"Hamas doesn't give a d--n about them," Biden said of the residents of Gaza. "I don't trust Hamas to do anything right. I only trust Hamas to respond to pressure."
Israel said 22 Israeli and foreign citizens had arrived to a military base and were being taken to a hospital for evaluation.
Hamas released the first wave of hostages Friday morning amid a four-day truce brokered by Qatar. Twenty-four hostages were transported out of Gaza via the Rafah border crossing on Friday, according to the Times of Israel, citing Israeli officials.
In addition to Israelis, among the captives release were 10 people from Thailand and a Filipino citizen, the Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
In exchange for the hostages, Israel will release 150 imprisoned Palestinians.
Biden said he didn’t know the conditions of any American hostages. While speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , Biden said he's encouraged Israel to make an effort to “reduce the number of casualties” while trying to “eliminate” Hamas.
He added that he believes Hamas conducted its Oct. 7 attack on Israeli communities when it did because his administration was working with Saudi Arabia to recognize Israel.
Israeli leaders have vowed to resume the war with Hamas once the temporary ceasefire expires.
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