Biden claims hostage deal with Hamas is ‘going to happen’ — RT World News

US President Joe Biden expressed his confidence that the agreement to release the hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip will be completed soon amid the ongoing war that the movement is waging with Israel.

“I’ve been talking to the people involved every day.” Biden told reporters on Tuesday at the White House. “I think it will happen, but I don’t want to go into details.” When asked about the message he was sending to the hostage families, he replied: “Be patient. We’re coming.”

Biden did not provide any timetable for reaching an agreement on Hamas prisoners; He also did not comment on the potential scope of the hostage release. A senior US official appeared to retract his statement, telling CNN that the negotiations were still volatile and could collapse. “It’s closer, but it’s not done.” The unnamed official said.

The Israeli government estimates that about 240 hostages are still being held in Gaza more than a month after the Hamas attacks that sparked the latest war in the region on October 7. Hamas fighters killed an estimated 1,200 people, and the group claimed to have taken a sufficient number of hostages. – Release all Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons.

Only four hostages, including two Americans, were released, and Israeli forces rescued a captured soldier. Media reports indicated that the negotiations revolve around the exchange of prisoners in exchange for the release of dozens of hostages. Hamas is also pressing for a ceasefire. More than 11,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the fighting, according to local authorities.

Hamas said in a statement on Monday that it was ready to release up to 70 women and children in exchange for the release of 275 Palestinian prisoners and a cessation of fighting for five days. Qatar is reportedly mediating the talks and involving Mossad and the US Central Intelligence Agency.

Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are facing increasing political pressure to release the hostages, as well as calls from humanitarian organizations to implement a ceasefire. Nine American citizens are still missing and could be among the hostages. The White House National Security Advisor said earlier this week that US officials do not know how many of these Americans are still alive.