US President Joe Biden and 17 leaders from other countries whose citizens were kidnapped in Gaza on October 7, jointly called on Hamas today (Thursday) to "release the hostages" and accept a deal proposed by the mediators.
""We call for the immediate release of all those kidnapped, including our citizens. The fate of the kidnapped and the civilians in Gaza is an international concern. The deal on the table will bring about an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and allow for the entry of aid and an end to hostilities. The residents of Gaza will be allowed to return to their homes," read President Biden's call, which was joined by the leaders of Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.
In addition, a message was conveyed to the Gaza terror organization: "We call on Hamas to release the hostages. Let us end the crisis to bring peace and security to the region.".
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According to a report in Kan News, a senior Biden administration official noted that so far Hamas has rejected every offer to release the hostages.
""Sinwar is the man who says yes or no - and he said no. There were several times when the negotiations made great progress outside with Hamas leaders living in luxury hotels, but Sinwar is ultimately the decision-maker and when the question came to him, whether he would sign or not - and Sinwar lives deep underground while the people of Gaza suffer - the answer that came personally from Sinwar was no.".
He said, "Justice will be done with Sinwar. He ultimately makes the decisions, that's how Hamas does business - and he rejected the deal and thus insists on holding the hostages.".
The source clarified: "It is not true that Israel is the one who is building obstacles" in ceasefire talks. "The current agreement allows for unlimited entry of civilians back into the northern Gaza Strip, but these are still combat zones and a ceasefire is needed to allow passage. If sick and wounded women are released, then conditions will be created that will allow civilians to enter the northern Gaza Strip.".
The source also referred to a video with a sign of life from the kidnapped Hirsch Goldberg-Polin. "We received it on Monday and we are analyzing it with our experts. This is our daily effort.".
Regarding President Biden's meeting with 4-year-old Abigail Idan, who was released from Hamas captivity, he said: "The president spent more than an hour with the family and let Abigail play in the Oval Office. She crawled through the door next to the president's desk, played on the playground on the lawn.".
