U.S. President Joe Biden [photo=Reuters·Yonhap News]
U.S. President Joe Biden has commented on the negotiations to release hostages held by Hamas, saying, “It looks good.”
According to The Hill and other sources on the 21st (local time), President Biden stated at the White House, “We are now very close, very close. We could bring some of these hostages home very soon.”
He added, “I don’t want to get into the details of things because nothing is done until it’s done. And if we have more to say, we will. But things are looking good at the moment.”
CNN previously reported that Israel was discussing a ceasefire for 4-5 days, demanding Hamas release about 50 hostages, including women and children, whom Israeli forces had abducted during an attack on the 7th of the previous month. Reuters also quoted Ismail Haniyeh as saying that a ceasefire and hostage negotiations were imminent.
John Kirby, the White House National Security Council (NSC) Strategic Communications Coordinator, also stated at a briefing that day that the likelihood of a resolution to the hostage negotiations had increased. He said, “We are closer to a resolution than before, and we believe we are getting closer,” but declined to provide more specific details that could negatively affect the negotiations.
Kirby continued, predicting that medical services provision would be a top priority upon the hostages’ release, given the horrific conditions many of them have endured.
By. Kwon Seong Jin
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