WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden stated on Tuesday that he is actively involved in daily discussions to secure the release of hostages being held by Hamas, expressing confidence that it will come to fruition.
“Hang in there, we’re coming,” Biden reassured reporters at the White House when questioned about his message to hostage families.
Biden disclosed that he engages in daily dialogue with the parties involved in negotiations regarding a potential hostage release, although he refrained from divulging specifics.
Israeli officials reported that Hamas fighters breached the Gaza-Israel border on October 7, resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties and the capture of around 240 hostages. Only four hostages have been liberated thus far.
In a recent White House statement, Biden “unequivocally” condemned the detainment of hostages by Hamas, including numerous young children, one of whom is a 3-year-old American citizen whose parents were killed by the group on October 7th.
The families of Israelis held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip commenced a five-day march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on Tuesday to demand increased governmental efforts to secure their release.
Meanwhile, supporters in Washington organized a “March for Israel” later on Tuesday, following widespread protests across the United States and globally against Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
The Israeli bombardment of Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 11,000 Palestinians, with approximately 40% of them being children, according to health officials in the Hamas-controlled territory.
Last week, Reuters reported that Qatar, home to several political leaders of Hamas, has been spearheading mediation efforts between Hamas and Israeli officials regarding the hostages.
(Reporting by Andrea Shalal, Steve Holland, Susan Heavey, Katharine Jackson; Editing by Doina Chiaacu)
