While people in the U.S. wind down from Thanksgiving and Black Friday this weekend, a stream of hostages and prisoners continue to be released amid a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.
According to President Joe Biden, it was unclear as of Friday how many of the hostages would be Americans and that the condition of the American hostages was not clear. One reporter said an estimated 10 Americans are among those held hostage by Hamas.
“We don’t know when that will occur, but we’re going to be – expect it to occur,” said the president. “And we don’t know what the list of all the hostages are and when they’ll be released, but we know the numbers that are going to be released. So, it is my hope and expectation it will be soon.”
Biden also mentioned “two American women and one four-year-old child, Abigail, who remains among those missing,” when he said that the U.S.
remains committed to freeing all hostages.
Hamas, a Palestinian terrorist organization, attacked Israel in early October, killing more than 1,000 people. Israel then declared war on Hamas, and battles have been raging near Gaza ever since.
In addition to bombings, both sides have taken people captive.
Two American hostages were released in October, followed by two Israeli hostages.
Fighting then continued through most of November. The United Nations called for a ceasefire early this month, citing the deaths of children and journalists. A four-day ceasefire was eventually announced Friday. Biden said the halt in fighting was achieved “by extensive U.S. diplomacy.”
“This deal also is structured to allow a pause to continue for more than 50 hostages to be released,” Biden explained. “That’s our goal.”
He said Friday that the deal was moving along smoothly, with 13 hostages released, including an elderly woman and mothers with young children. Additionally, Thai nationals and Filipino nationals kidnapped by Hamas were also released.
“All of these hostages have been through a terrible ordeal, and this is the beginning of a long journey of healing for them,” said Biden. “The teddy bears waiting to greet those children at the hospital are a stark reminder of the trauma these children have been through and at such a very young age.”
Biden worked with leaders of Israel, Egypt and Qatar to secure the hostage release deal.
“Over the next few days, we expect that dozens of hostages will be returned to their families,” he said. “We also will not stop until we get these hostages brought home and an answer to their whereabouts.”
CNN reported Saturday that the 24 total hostages were released Friday were mostly Israeli and Thai citizens. Per the report, Israel is expecting 14 hostages to be released Saturday, though Hamas has provided a list with 13 names. Overall, 50 hostages are expected to be released throughout the ceasefire.
In exchange for the hostages released Saturday, Israel is expected to release 42 Palestinian prisoners.
“The head of the Palestinian Commission for Detainees and Ex-Prisoners’ Affairs Qadura Fares later said 39 Palestinian prisoners are expected to be released on Saturday,” according to CNN.
With the ceasefire, more humanitarian aid is also able to access Gaza, bringing food, medicine, water, and fuel to civilians who are still in Gaza. Biden said more than 200 trucks arrived at the crossing point in Egypt into Gaza Friday.
“And hundreds more trucks are getting in position as well, ready to enter Gaza over the coming days to support the innocent Palestinians who are suffering greatly because of this war that Hamas has unleashed,” the president added. “Hamas doesn’t give a damn about them.”
Biden also said that there is a “real” chance that the ceasefire may continue past the agreed four-day period. Looking forward, he said the U.S. is dedicated to pursue a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians and to work towards more lasting peace in the Middle East.