American authorities expressed optimism Sunday about the release of one of the young American hostages in the hands of Hamas the same day, Joe Biden’s national security adviser said.
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“We have reason to believe that a hostage will be released today,” Jake Sullivan told NBC, adding, “But we won’t be sure until we see them safely outside of Gaza.”
The hostage could be Abigail, a little girl who celebrated her fourth birthday in captivity “two days ago.”
The child was taken hostage by Hamas on October 7 during its bloody attack on Israel.
“She saw her parents killed in front of her,” the White House adviser assured CNN.
American authorities estimate that 10 Americans, including two women and this child, are in the hands of the Palestinian Islamist group.
“We haven’t received any proof of life from anyone,” Mr Sullivan said on ABC on Sunday.
AFP
On October 7, Hamas commandos entered southern Israel from the Gaza Strip and carried out a bloody attack that left 1,200 people dead, mostly civilians, according to Israeli authorities.
In this attack, according to the same source, about 240 people were kidnapped and taken to the Gaza Strip.
In retaliation, Israel declared war to “annihilate” Hamas and relentlessly shelled the Gaza Strip.
AFP
According to the latest Hamas government report, 15,000 people have been killed in this enclave since then, including 6,150 children and teenagers under the age of 18.
Under Qatari auspices, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire in fighting and the release of hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.
The pressure on Joe Biden, Israel’s main supporter, continues to increase, particularly due to the very high humanitarian casualties in Gaza, but also the lack of release of American hostages.
“Has anyone noticed that Hamas has released people from several countries, but so far no American hostages? There is a reason for this: THERE IS NO RESPECT FOR OUR COUNTRY OR OUR LEADERSHIP,” criticized his Republican predecessor Donald Trump, who is seeking re-election in 2024, on Saturday.