In a brief address on his last full day as the US president, Joe Biden hailed the ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza and predicted Hamas would not regain power, reports Al Jazeera.
He also defended his support for Israel in the 15 months since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack.
Biden spoke as Israeli hostages Emily Damari, Doron Steinbrecher and Romi Gonen left Hamas captivity and were on their way to Israel. Their release was the first stage of a ceasefire deal that came into effect on Sunday after months of negotiation and more than a year of fighting.
In the initial phase of the deal, which will last six weeks, Hamas is due to release 3 more Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian security prisoners.
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“The deal that I first put forward last May for the Middle East has finally come to fruition,” he said. “Today we’re seeing hostages being released. Three Israeli women held against their will in the dark tunnels for 470 days.”
He added, “After so much pain, destruction and loss of life, today the guns in Gaza have gone silent.” Israel has freed 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
The release came early Monday, more than seven hours after three Israeli hostages released from Hamas captivity in Gaza returned to Israel, reports AP.
A large bus carrying dozens of Palestinian detainees exited the gates of Israel’s Ofer prison, just outside the West Bank city of Ramallah.
Israel’s military, which occupies the West Bank, warned Palestinians against public celebration, but crowds thronged the buses after they left the prison, some people climbing on top or waving flags, including those of Hamas.
There were fireworks and whistles, and shouts of “God is great.” Those released were hoisted onto others’ shoulders or embraced.
According to a list from the Palestinian Authority’s Commission for Prisoners’ Affairs, all of those released are women or teenagers, with the youngest being 15.
Israel detained them for what it said were offenses related to Israel’s security, from throwing stones to more serious accusations like attempted murder.
The Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and left around 250 others captive. Nearly 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza.
In response, Israel launched an offensive that has resulted in over 46,000 Palestinian deaths, according to local health officials. While the officials do not differentiate between civilians and militants, they report that women and children constitute more than half of the casualties.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
