Biden Urges Qatar, Egypt to Secure Release of Hamas Hostages in Gaza

On April 29, 2024, US President Joe Biden urged the leaders of Qatar and Egypt to make every effort to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, which is the final obstacle to a ceasefire deal proposed by Israel. The ceasefire deal and release of hostages have been the focus of mediation efforts by Cairo, Doha, and Washington for months.

Biden spoke separately with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani about the "deal now on the table" and the importance of preventing military escalation and providing humanitarian aid to Gaza. The leaders also discussed the danger of a military escalation in Rafah and the need for full and adequate access to humanitarian aid in the region.

A Hamas delegation is set to visit Cairo on Monday to discuss the ceasefire proposal and Israel's response. The talks will involve Qatari and Egyptian mediators. Hamas is expected to respond to Israel's latest Gaza truce proposal, which US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described as "extraordinarily generous" on Israel's part. The proposed deal involves the release of 33 hostages by Hamas in the first stage in exchange for a temporary ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and stressed the need for progress on the hostage release and ceasefire to be sustained and enhanced in coordination with humanitarian organizations. The US has said it cannot support an Israeli invasion of the Gaza border city of Rafah without an appropriate humanitarian plan.

The war, now in its seventh month, was triggered by a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is described as catastrophic, with tens of thousands killed and injured, starvation, and the spread of disease.

As the diplomatic efforts continue, protesters in Israel have demanded that the government reach a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages. The US has suggested that continued support for Israel could be conditional on protection and aid for civilians in Gaza. World Central Kitchen also announced it would resume operations in Gaza after the Israeli military killed seven of its workers in a drone strike.

Key Takeaways

• Biden urges Qatar, Egypt to secure Hamas hostage release for Gaza ceasefire.
• Hamas delegation to discuss ceasefire proposal with Qatari, Egyptian mediators.
• Proposed deal: Hamas releases 33 hostages for temporary ceasefire, prisoner release.
• Humanitarian crisis in Gaza: Thousands killed, starvation, disease spread.
• US suggests continued support for Israel may depend on Gaza civilian protection.