In a press conference held at the White House, US President Joe Biden expressed confidence in the ongoing negotiations aimed at securing the release of hostages taken during the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. Biden stated that he has been in daily communication with the involved parties and believes that a deal is imminent.
"I've been talking with the people involved every single day. I believe it's going to happen. But I don't want to get into detail," President Biden informed reporters.
Addressing the families anxiously awaiting news about their loved ones, the President offered a message of hope: "Hang in there, we're coming."
The United States, under the leadership of Biden and top officials, has been engaged in diplomatic efforts, collaborating with various leaders, including talks brokered by Qatar. The goal is to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas and other terror groups involved in the October 7 attacks.
The situation gained further complexity when it was revealed that a 3-year-old American citizen toddler is among the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. The White House disclosed this information after a call between President Biden and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on Sunday.
Recent reports from CNN suggest that negotiations are progressing towards a potential deal. The proposed agreement would involve a sustained, days-long pause in fighting in exchange for the release of a significant number of hostages. According to a senior US official familiar with the talks, the hostages would exit Gaza in stages on a rolling basis, with priority given to vulnerable groups such as children and women. This process is expected to unfold over multiple days.
However, the release efforts face challenges, exacerbated by Israel's expansion of ground operations into Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has unequivocally stated that there will be "no ceasefire" without the release of the hostages, adding another layer of complexity to the negotiations.