By Jeff Mason
NANTUCKET, Mass. (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden said on Friday that the chances were “real” of a truce between Israel and Hamas being extended and he expressed hope that U.S. citizens taken hostage by the Palestinian militant group would be freed soon.
Biden expressed optimism about the potential extension of the truce, attributing the progress to extensive U.S. diplomacy efforts. He highlighted the recent release of hostages by Hamas, underscoring the ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure the return of additional captives.
“Beginning this morning, under a deal reached by extensive U.S. diplomacy, including numerous calls I’ve made from the Oval Office to leaders across the region, fighting in Gaza will halt for four days,” Biden told a press conference.
When asked about the possibility of extending the truce, Biden responded, “I think the chances are real.”
The duration of the Israel-Hamas conflict was a topic of speculation among reporters questioning Biden. He emphasized the difficulty of Israel’s objective to eliminate Hamas while expressing his hope for a resolution with pressure from the Arab world.
Under the terms of the truce, 50 women and children hostages are to be released over four days, in return for 150 Palestinian women and children among thousands of detainees in Israeli jails. Israel says the truce could be extended if more hostages are released at a rate of 10 per day.
Both sides have pledged to resume fighting after the pause. This was confirmed by a Hamas spokesperson’s video message calling for an escalation in the confrontation and Israel’s Defence Minister stating that the fighting will continue.
The violence in the region has led to international outcry, with civilian casualties being a major concern. Biden discussed the issue while vacationing with his family on the Massachusetts island of Nantucket.
As Biden and his wife, Jill, walked around Nantucket after his remarks, some in the gathered crowd loudly shouted: “Free Palestine!”
Biden also mentioned that he had raised civilian casualties with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, encouraging a reduction in the number of casualties while pursuing the legitimate objective of eliminating Hamas.
(Reporting by Jeff Mason; Additional reporting by Kanishka Singh, Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; Editing by Leslie Adler and Grant McCool)
