The White House is hopeful that additional Americans will be included in the hostages being released by Hamas on Monday.
According to National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby, officials are closely monitoring the group of hostages to see if any Americans are among them.
It was also announced that the humanitarian pause in fighting will be extended, with Hamas committing to releasing 20 women and children over the next two days due to the extension.
The White House expressed hope for further extension of the pause, expressing interest in seeing it prolonged.
When questioned about reassurances from other countries regarding the release of American hostages, Kirby reiterated the administration’s hope for their release but mentioned that confirmation will only come once they cross the border into Israel.
Kirby also stated that there are no known obstacles to the release of more hostages, and that the main concern currently is the release of two mothers with their children, which appears to be on track.
Additionally, he mentioned that the White House has no information on the condition of the American hostages still being held and that they will only feel relief once today’s hostages are safely released.
