“I am extraordinarily gratified”, remarks Biden on hostage deal between Israel-Hamas

US President Joe Biden expressed his relief on Tuesday that some of the hostages captured when Hamas operatives entered Israel on October 7 will be released shortly under an agreement negotiated with cooperation from around the Middle East.

“I am extraordinarily gratified that some of these brave souls… will be reunited with their families once this deal is fully implemented”, Biden said in a White House statement.

Biden praised Qatar and Egypt’s leaders for their critical leadership in achieving the deal, as well as Israel for agreeing to an extended pause in combat in Gaza to allow humanitarian aid to be delivered.

He mentioned that two American hostages were rescued as a result of intense diplomacy in late October.

“Today’s deal should bring home additional American hostages, and I will not stop until they are all released”, Biden continued.

After weeks of ll-out battle, the four-day truce declared Tuesday was the first major diplomatic breakthrough since fighting began more than six weeks ago.

Under the Qatar-brokered agreement, Palestinian operatives will return 50 women and children abducted during their October 7 attacks, which Israel claims killed 1,200 people.

As per a senior US official, three Americans, including three-year-old Abigail Mor Idan, are among the 50 earmarked for staggered release beginning Thursday.

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