Biden looking forward to maintaining close contacts with Egypt, Qatar, Israel to release hostage in Gaza

CAIRO – 15 January 2024: US President Joe Biden said he is looking forward to maintaining close contact with "my counterparts in Qatar, Egypt, and Israel to return all hostages home and back to their families," according to a statement by the White House.

"Today, we mark a devastating and tragic milestone—100 days of captivity for the more than 100 innocent people, including as many as 6 Americans, who are still held being hostage by Hamas in Gaza. For 100 days, they have existed in fear for their lives, not knowing what tomorrow will bring. For 100 days, their families have lived in agony, praying for the safe return of their loved ones," he said.

"And for each of those 100 days, the hostages and their families have been at the forefront of my mind as my national security team and I have worked non-stop to try to secure their freedom," he added.

"Since October 7, my Administration has pursued aggressive diplomacy to bring the hostages home. We saw the first results of that effort late October, when two Americans were reunited with their loved ones. In November, working in close coordination with Qatar, Egypt, and Israel, we brokered a seven day pause in fighting that resulted in the release of 105 hostages—including a 4-year-old American child—and allowed us to surge additional vital humanitarian aid into Gaza."