When the first American hostage was released from Hamas on the 26th (local time), U.S. President Joe Biden made an emergency speech to the nation and announced his intention to work toward the release of additional Americans.
According to the Associated Press, CNN, and the Guardian, Biden said in a speech to the nation at the White House that day, “Abigail Ethan, a four-year-old American hostage, has been released by Hamas.”
Biden’s unscheduled address to the nation that day came shortly after reports that Abigail, who had dual American and Israeli citizenship, was released along with 16 other hostages held by Hamas.
Biden said the girl was “free and in Israel.” He also said he expected Hamas to release additional Americans, saying “what this girl has endured is unimaginable.”
“We hope that other Americans can be released,” Biden said, adding, “There is much more work to be done.”
He also said, “I would like to see the ceasefire continue as long as (Palestinian) prisoners are released.”
Biden said of four-year-old Abigail Ethan, “She went through a terrible trauma.” “Jill and I, along with many Americans, are praying for the fact that she will be OK,” he said, referring to his wife, Jill Biden.
Additionally, Biden said his administration’s goal is to extend the halt in fighting in Gaza to ensure the safe release of hostages and provide critical support to civilians in Gaza.
In a speech from the White House, Biden said he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “will continue to personally work to ensure that this agreement is fully implemented and to extend it.”
“I am fighting for two causes,” he said. “The goal is to increase support for Gaza civilians in need and facilitate the release of hostages,” he said. “The agreement signed between Israel and Hamas is structured so that it can be extended based on these results.”
“This is our goal,” Biden said. “This temporary suspension (of the war) will continue after tomorrow,” he added.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.