Biden calls for ceasefire, Hamas hostage release in talks with Egypt and Qatar

President Biden has intensified diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages held by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas. 

On Friday, Biden wrote to both Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Siss and Qatar’s emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, urging them to pressure Hamas for a hostage deal with Israel. A Hamas senior leader previously rejected a ceasefire proposal from Egypt on Thursday. 

Biden also spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to redouble efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement. The President's renewed push for action from Netanyahu follows condemnation of an Israeli airstrike that resulted in the deaths of seven humanitarian workers from the World Central Kitchen (WCK) in Gaza. Biden labeled the incident as "unacceptable" and demanded immediate steps toward de-escalation. 

Biden threatened Netanyahu that Israel could lose American support if civilians keep getting killed. 

"He made clear the need for Israel to announce and implement a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers,” the White House said in a statement about Biden's call with Netanyahu. “He made clear that U.S. policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel’s immediate action on these steps.” 

According to a source who spoke to the Daily Mail, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan is scheduled to meet with family members of the hundreds of hostages still held captive in Gaza on Monday. 

Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby emphasized the urgency of the situation, highlighting the abhorrent conditions endured by the hostages over the past six months while being held captive by Hamas terrorists. 

“They need to be home with their families,” Kirby said. 

The new ceasefire proposal being pushed by the White House involves the release of women, the elderly, the sick, and wounded hostages, aiming to address the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the prolonged captivity. The proposal also comes after a report by a freed Israeli woman who said that all female hostages held by Hamas are being sexually abused.