Biden Briefed on Hostage Negotiations Following Hamas Executions
Today, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed in the White House Situation Room on the ongoing negotiations for a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, facilitated by Qatar and Egypt. This briefing follows the recent tragic discovery of six hostages, including American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, executed by Hamas in Gaza.
Prior to the briefing, President Biden briefly addressed the press. He outlined his immediate schedule, mentioning that he would attend a national security meeting before traveling to Pittsburgh. He also touched on the situation in Israel, stating, “We're very close” to finalizing a hostage deal and expressing cautious optimism that this deal might succeed where others have not, with a remark that “Hope springs eternal.”
When asked whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be doing more, Biden responded, “No.” He was also questioned about his reaction to the widespread demonstrations in Israel, to which he replied that he would gather details during his meeting and provide more information afterward.
In response to queries about the families of hostages, Biden reaffirmed his commitment to pushing for their release. “I've spoken to the American hostage, I spoke to his mom and dad, and we're not giving up. We're going to continue to push as hard as we can,” he said.
Following the press interaction, President Biden and Vice President Harris received a comprehensive briefing from key national security officials, including:
Antony Blinken, Secretary of State
Bill Burns, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
Jeff Zients, Assistant to the President & Chief of Staff
Jake Sullivan, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
Jon Finer, Assistant to the President & Principal Deputy National Security Advisor
Phil Gordon, Assistant to the President & National Security Advisor to the Vice President
Brett McGurk, Deputy Assistant to the President & Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, National Security Council
The White House later issued a statement detailing the briefing.
President Biden expressed profound devastation and outrage over the murder of Hersh Goldberg-Polin and the other hostages, emphasizing the need to hold Hamas’s leaders accountable. The briefing covered the status of the bridging proposal led by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt and outlined next steps in the ongoing efforts to secure the hostages' release.
Meanwhile, mass protests continue across Israel, with demonstrators calling for a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
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