According to a senior U.S. official, the deal between Israel and Hamas for the release of 50 hostages from Gaza culminated a “very draining five-week process,” with President Joe Biden directly involved in negotiations that nearly collapsed. As recently as last week a “cell” of Biden’s aides worked secretly behind the scenes to secure the deal, even as hostage families sought answers about their loved ones.
The negotiations resulted in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet approving an agreement to pause fighting in the Gaza Strip and release 150 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of 50 women and children from Hamas captivity.
After a series of fits and starts, a deal was finally brokered with Qatar and Egypt acting as key intermediaries. The challenges revolved around identifying the hostages held by Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Talks went completely dark with Hamas earlier in the week, but managed to resume late last week. U.S. officials met in-person with Israeli and Qatar officials in Doha to finalize the details spelled out in a six-page agreement.
Recognized for its role as a mediator in international negotiations, Qatar facilitated the communications between the parties involved. The Qatar officials held discussions with Hamas, Israeli, and U.S. officials about the fate of the hostages. Qatar’s role in the negotiations was further solidified in the release of two American hostages, Judith Raanan and her teenage daughter Natalie, providing confidence that the larger hostage deal could be finalized.
The deal is a major diplomatic breakthrough in efforts to free the hostages kidnapped by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack, with only a few hostages rescued so far. There are still approximately 200 hostages in Gaza, indicating that negotiations are still ongoing.
President Biden’s determination to secure the release of these hostages was clear during a “gut-wrenching” meeting with the families of the unaccounted Americans, an experience vividly described by the U.S. official. The release of all hostages has been a main demand of this deal, and Biden has worked relentlessly to ensure their safe return home.
Biden worked with Israel and Qatar to ensure that all hostages are safely returned home. His unwavering commitment to securing the hostages’ release led to the initial release of two Americans, a significant step forward in the negotiations. With Biden leading the charge, discussions, proposals, and arrangements about the hostages’ release were traded back and forth, leading to the larger hostage deal finally secured by the Biden administration.
