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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12663375/Biden-says-wont-ceasefire-Gaza-hostages-released-cuts-remarks-early-head-Situation-Room.html
Biden says there won't be a ceasefire in Gaza until after hostages are
released as he cuts his remarks early to head to the Situation Room
Biden addressed the tense situation in the Middle East at 'Bidenomics' event
He said hostages should be released, 'then we'll talk'
Hamas released a second pair of hostages of an estimated 200
By GEOFF EARLE, DEPUTY U.S. POLITICAL EDITOR FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 15:47 EDT, 23 October 2023 | UPDATED: 17:06 EDT, 23 October 2023
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President Joe Biden said Monday tamped down calls for a ceasefire in
Gaza, telling Hamas to release the hostages its militants took captive
from Israel – 'then we'll talk.'
He made the remark at the White House moments after reports that Hamas
had released two hostages held inside Gaza after the Oct. 7 terror
attack, bringing the total released to four.
He was asked about having hostages released for a ceasefire at the tail
end of an event on his economic agenda.
'We should have those hostages released, then we'll talk,' Biden responded.
President Joe Biden called on Hamas to release hostages when asked about
a ceasefire
+4
View gallery
President Joe Biden called on Hamas to release hostages when asked about
a ceasefire
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Israel is demanding the release of all of the estimated 200 hostages
seized during the cross-border raid by Hamas fighters. It has called up reserves and massed forces on the border, while pounding targets inside
Gaza.
Biden ended his remarks, at a an event meant to tout his 'Bidenomics'
agenda, by referencing a national security development.
'I apologize, I have to go to the Situation Room for another issue I
have to deal with,' he said.
His event began nearly an hour after the scheduled start time Monday
following the first news reports of the release of an additional pair of hostages.
Hamas released two American terrorists last week as the Biden
administration negotiated to help secure the first convoy of
humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The president spoke as protesters have called for a cease fire, while
some 'squad' members have accused both Hamas and the Israeli government
of 'war crimes.'
White House national security spokesman John Kirby said repeatedly
Monday that the administration's objective was to get Israel the tools
it needs, while getting aid to Palestinian people inside Gaza and secure
the release of hostages.
The latest figure for Americans still unaccounted for after October 7 is
ten, according to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Kirby repeated that number Monday. He said the number of Americans
believed to be held captive is still 'about a handful.'
Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in the Tal Al-Hawa
neighborhood in Gaza, 20 October 2023. Biden called for the release of
hostages when asked about a cease fire
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View gallery
Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in the Tal Al-Hawa
neighborhood in Gaza, 20 October 2023. Biden called for the release of
hostages when asked about a cease fire
Biden called for the release of additional hostages days after the
release of Judith Tai Raanan and her daughter Natalie Shoshana Raanan.
They are among an estimated 200 hostages seized by Hamas fighters during
a brazen attack inside Israel
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View gallery
Biden called for the release of additional hostages days after the
release of Judith Tai Raanan and her daughter Natalie Shoshana Raanan.
They are among an estimated 200 hostages seized by Hamas fighters during
a brazen attack inside Israel
Yocheved Lifshitz, 85, is among an estimated 200 hostages seized by Hamas
Nurit Cooper (also known as Nurit Yitzhak), 79, was also released for
what Hamas called humanitarian reasons
Hamas announced the release of two elderly Israeli hostages Monday
At the briefing, he was asked about a call by UN agencies for a
'humanitarian cease fire.'
'What we want right now is make sure Israel has the tools it needs to
defend itself and to go after Hamas. And that humanitarian assistance
keeps flowing. Now it's started and it's a good thing. We want to keep
it going and keep it sustainable. That's what we're focused on.
He didn't answer directly when asked if Israel was abiding by
international law. President Biden has repeatedly said the U.S. has
Israel's back, while also speaking publicly about the importance of
democracies following the rules of war.
'We're not going to parcel out each and every event that happens on the battlefield, especially since we're not there,' said Kirby. 'I can just
tell you that there hasn't been a conversation that we've had with
Israeli counterparts – and we've had them at all levels – where we
aren't talking about not just what they want to do, but how they want to
do it,' Kirby said.
Biden was also asked about his conversation with Pope Francis. According
to the Holy See the two spoke for 20 minutes Sunday about 'the need to
identify paths to peace.'
'The pope and I are on the same page,' said Biden. He said the Pope was
'very interested' in the crises we are facing, including in Israel.
Biden said he 'laid out to him what the game plan was,' including
providing assistance that Israel needed.
'The pope was across the board supportive,' Biden said.
According to an official White House readout released Sunday, Biden
'condemned the barbarous attack by Hamas against Israeli civilians,
affirmed the need to protect civilians in Gaza, and discussed his
efforts to ensure delivery of food and medicine into Gaza, as well as
the need to 'prevent escalation' and work toward 'durable peace.'
Share or comment on this article: Biden says there won't be a ceasefire
in Gaza until after hostages are released as he cuts his remarks early
to head to the Situation Room
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