Biden hails release of 4-year-old American — and says he’s optimistic cease-fire could grow
President Biden on Sunday celebrated the release of the 4-year-old American hostage just freed by Hamas — while saying he’s optimistic Monday’s scheduled end to Israel’s cease-fire with the terror group may be extended.
Abigail Mor Edan, who turned 4 on Friday during captivity, was among the 17 hostages released by Hamas on Sunday during the third day in the pause on fighting.
“Jill and I together with so many Americans are praying for the fact that she is going to be alright,” Biden said during remarks from Nantucket, Mass., where he spent Thanksgiving. “She’s free, and she’s in Israel now.”
Israel and Hamas began their four-day pause in the war Friday in exchange for the daily release of hostages and the enabling of aid to flow into the Gaza Strip.
Biden voiced optimism that the pause, which is set to end Monday with the final wave of freed hostages, could be extended.
“For weeks, I’ve been advocating to pause in the fighting for two purposes: to increase the assistance getting to the Gaza civilians who need help and to facilitate [the] release of hostages,” Biden said.
“The deal calls for every 10 hostages released to extend another day. So I’m hopeful this is not the end, it’s going to continue — but we don’t know,” he added.
The president said his sense of the situation is that the key players in the region are seeking to find a way “to end this so the hostages are all released.”
Palestinian prisoners also have been exchanged for the Israeli hostages in the deal.
There were an estimated total 240 people being held captive by Hamas, including at least nine Americans and one permanent legal US resident, according to officials.
Abigail’s parents were killed at the Kfar Aza kibbutz, according to her great-aunt Liz Hirsh Naftali.
Biden did not offer many specifics on Abigal’s condition.
“All I know is that she has been held. … I haven’t seen a photograph,” Biden said. “She is safely ensconced in Israel.”
Biden thanked the Emir of Qatar over the hostage negotiations and revealed plans to call Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “shortly.”
He stressed that the US has been in constant contact with its counterparts in Qatar, Egypt, and Israel.
