United States: The United States and 17 other countries on Thursday called for Hamas to release all of its captives as a starting point to resolve the crisis in Gaza, but Hamas asserted that they will not give in to the pressure from abroad.
Humanitarian Imperative
“We likewise demand the instant release of all hostages currently seized by Hamas in Gaza for more than 200 days,” a joint statement by the countries said. A senior U.S. official called it a rare instance of total agreement, as reported by Reuters.
The 18 countries at Hamas’s Hamas captured their civilians after the Palestinian militant group launched an armed assault on Israel’s southern Israeli population on October 7th and killed 1,200 people. Hamas movement allegedly still has 129 hostages out of the 253 people who were captured during the Oct.7 conflict.
Leaders of the different countries like United States, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Thailand and Britain, were the signatories.
“We emphasize that the deal on the table to release the hostages would bring an immediate and prolonged ceasefire in Gaza that would facilitate a surge of additional necessary humanitarian assistance to be delivered throughout Gaza and lead to the credible end of hostilities,” the statement said.
It said, “Gazans would be able to return to their homes and their lands with preparations beforehand to ensure shelter and humanitarian provisions.”
According to senior Hamas leader Sami Abu Zuhri’s statement, this effect was not likely to change Hamas’ position. It was for the U.S. to force Israelis to stop the attack on Palestine.
“The ball now is in the American court,” said Abu Zuhri.
In the press briefing about the statement, the senior United States official addressed the possibility of an agreement on the hostage situation in a rather uncertain manner.
Diplomatic Maneuvering
He did not offer additional information but said the resolution came down to “one man,” and it was the Hamas Gaza leader, Yahya Sinwar.
The hostage deal before this suggests the release of the sick, elderly, and wounded hostages who are in Gaza in exchange for Israel to agree for a brief ceasefire of six weeks, which can be extended to permit more humanitarian aid to Gaza.
It gives a green signal to the unshackled entrance of Gaza citizens to northern Gaza, the spokesperson claimed.
The idea of a joint statement was motivated about two weeks ago when the White House National Security Advisor Jake Sully met with family members of Gaza hostages, the senior U.S. official said.
The resolution was passed the following day after President Joe Biden had met Abigail Edan, a 4-year-old American girl who had become a hostage after being told her parents were killed by Hamas fighters, in the Oval Office.
She played there in the Oval Office and, as the official said, managed to get into the presidential desk, known as the Resolute desk.
American officials reviewed the footage of a hostage, Hersh Golberg-Polin, that was aired on Tuesday, the official said.
Israeli Response
The Israeli officials have avoided making any comments or confirmations about the deal.
The Israeli government spokesperson who is called David Mencer, told the reporters that “it is Hamas that is dragging their feet” when asked about hostage diplomacy.
“It is Hamas that continues to walk away from the table. It is Hamas that refuses to let our people go. They must be let go right now,” he said.