Biden's warning to Hamas: Trust built on pressure, not words
According to the agreement announced earlier this week, Hamas is expected to release 50 hostages in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners, all of whom are women and adolescents. This marks the beginning of a challenging road ahead, as stated by President Joe Biden, quoted by Politico.
"From the moment Hamas kidnapped these people, I, along with my team, have been working non-stop to ensure their release," said the White House leader.
On Friday, Hamas released the first hostages - 13 Israelis, 10 Thai citizens, and one Filipino. Their release marked the first phase of a multi-hostage exchange agreement for Palestinian prisoners in Israel within a four-day ceasefire.
Biden mentioned that more details about the next round of hostages will be revealed in the coming hours, but it's not yet clear if Americans will be included in the list.
"We don't know when this will happen, but we expect it to happen. And we don't know the list of all hostages or when they will be released, but we know the figures when they will be released. So, my hope and expectation are that it will be soon," Biden said.
According to the agreement announced earlier this week, Hamas is required to release 50 hostages in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners, all women and adolescents. The agreement, negotiated by Israel, Hamas, Qatar, the US, and various external groups, could be seen as a somewhat "brighter" beginning after weeks in which thousands of people have died.
Over two hundred trucks arrived in Gaza on Friday, carrying fuel, food, medicine, and cooking gas, according to Biden, with hundreds more expected in the coming days.
"I don't trust Hamas to do anything right. I only trust Hamas to respond to pressure," continued Joe Biden.
The hostages have undergone immeasurable traumas, said Biden.
"All these hostages have gone through a terrible ordeal. And this is the beginning of a long journey of healing for them," Biden added.
Hamas killed 1,200 people on October 7th, and Israel's response has led to the death of over 13,000 people.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
