The Biden administration has urged Israel and Hamas to engage in negotiations and ceasefire discussions following the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) successful rescue of four hostages.
Sullivan mentioned in his statement that the U.S. government is “supporting all efforts to secure the release” of the remaining hostages held by Hamas. He encouraged ongoing negotiations and highlighted a “hostage release and ceasefire deal” that he said “has the full backing of the United States.”
“The United States is supporting all efforts to secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas, including American citizens,” Sullivan said. “This includes through ongoing negotiations or other means. The hostage release and ceasefire deal that is now on the table would secure the release of all the remaining hostages together with security assurances for Israel and relief for the innocent civilians in Gaza.”
Noa Argamani (25), Almog Meir Jan (21), Andrey Kozlov (27), and Shlomi Ziv (40) were rescued in a special operation by the IDF, ISA, and Israel Police from two separate locations in the heart of Nuseirat after being kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival.
They are in good… pic.twitter.com/PnkjL4GRQz
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 8, 2024
Argamani has become one of the most widely recognized hostages after video footage of her abduction from the music festival surfaced.
The hostages were reportedly rescued from two different locations “in the heart of Nuseirat,” a Palestinian refugee camp in the Gaza Strip.
In the video footage of her abduction, Argamani can be heard screaming and attempting to reach for her boyfriend while being driven away on a motorcycle.
“They are in good medical condition and have been transferred to the ‘Sheba’ Tel-HaShomer Medical Center for further medical examinations,” the IDF added.
Hamas terrorists launched a land, sea, and air invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in about 1,200 deaths and more than 250 people taken as hostages.
In response, Israel announced a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip, including launching a military offensive to destroy Hamas and rescue the hostages.
While some hostages held by Hamas have been released and the bodies of others have been found, roughly 130 hostages remain, 40 of whom are known to be dead, while at least 60 are believed to be alive.
Under Biden’s plan, there would be a “six-week ceasefire,” followed by negotiations for a permanent ceasefire, and a program to rebuild Gaza.
The plan’s three phases are:
- A six-week ceasefire, during which some hostages would be released, including the five American hostages. Israel would free a certain number of Palestinian prisoners, Palestinian civilians would return to their homes across Gaza, and humanitarian aid would be distributed to those civilians.
- Negotiations for a permanent ceasefire would commence, extending the temporary ceasefire beyond the six-week deadline as long as talks continue. All remaining hostages would be freed if discussions are successful.
- A major reconstruction program for Gaza would be implemented, and the remains of deceased hostages returned.
Israel has been conducting “limited operations in eastern Rafah,” Hamas’s last stronghold. Israeli officials have stressed the importance of entering Rafah to defeat Hamas terrorists and rescue the remaining hostages.
