Biden calls on Hamas to release hostages

While in conversation with the Emir of Qatar, which has links with the extremists, US President Joe Biden called for the quick release of captives kidnapped by Hamas in Israel.

In a statement, the White House stated, “Biden, who was in San Francisco for an Asia-Pacific summit, discussed the urgent need for all hostages held by Hamas to be released without further delay”.

Biden also mentioned Israel’s decision to allow two tankers of diesel into the war-torn Gaza Strip each day, in response to US requests.

“The emir and US president discussed ongoing efforts to increase the flow of urgently needed humanitarian assistance into Gaza and Israel’s decision to resume fuel deliveries for life-saving aid”, the statement reads.

Biden had told media two days earlier that he was mildly hopeful about striking an agreement to liberate the hostages, who are thought to include roughly ten US nationals.

According to Israeli officials, Hamas fighters infiltrated Israel on October 7 and killed around 1,200 individuals, the majority of whom were civilians, and captured approximately 240 prisoners.

As per Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, Israel’s ensuing air and ground campaign killed 12,000 people, including 5,000 children.

The jihadists, who are supported by Iran’s clerical state, have a political office in Qatar, which is a key US ally.

In recent years, Qatar has rebuffed initiatives by other Gulf Arab rulers to normalize relations with Israel.

Also read: Brit author of many awards, AS Byatt, passes away at 87