President Joe Biden celebrated the Wednesday deal brokered between Israel and Hamas for a temporary ceasefire and prisoner exchange.
The United States and Qatar served as key negotiators throughout the process, which resulted in a temporary ceasefire of at least four days in exchange for the release of 50 prisoners taken hostage by Hamas in its Oct. 7 attack.
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"Jill and I have been keeping all those held hostage and their loved ones close to our hearts these many weeks, and I am extraordinarily gratified that some of these brave souls, who have endured weeks of captivity and an unspeakable ordeal, will be reunited with their families once this deal is fully implemented," said Biden, who is currently vacationing for Thanksgiving in Nantucket, Massachusetts.
The president specifically thanked Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for their "critical leadership and partnership in reaching this deal" and lauded Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for "supporting an extended pause to ensure this deal can be fully carried out and to ensure the provision of additional humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of innocent Palestinian families in Gaza."
During the ceasefire, Israel will also release 150 Palestinians. Senior Biden administration officials told reporters that negotiations will continue to secure the release of the remaining Israeli hostages.
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"As President, I have no higher priority than ensuring the safety of Americans held hostage around the world. That’s why — from the earliest moments of Hamas’s brutal assault — my national security team and I have worked closely with regional partners to do everything possible to secure the release of our fellow citizens," the president continued. "We saw the first results of that effort in late October, when two Americans were reunited with their loved ones. Today’s deal should bring home additional American hostages, and I will not stop until they are all released. Today's deal is a testament to the tireless diplomacy and determination of many dedicated individuals across the United States Government to bring Americans home."
"I welcome the commitment that Israel has made to support an extended pause to ensure this deal can be fully carried out and to ensure additional humanitarian assistance reaches civilians in Gaza. The flow of aid must substantially increase and civilians must be protected. We also call on Hamas to release all the remaining hostages," Vice President Kamala Harris added in a separate statement.