The Biden administration called on Israel and Hamas to enter into negotiations and ceasefire talks after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) rescued the four hostages.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said: statement He was referring to the news that the Israel Defense Forces, the Israel Security Agency (ISA), and the Israeli Police carried out a joint rescue operation to rescue four hostages who were taken by Hamas from the Supernova music festival on October 7, 2023.
Sullivan said in a statement that the U.S. government “supports all efforts to secure the release” of the remaining hostages being held by Hamas, encouraging efforts such as engaging in “ongoing negotiations,” and pointing to the “hostage release and ceasefire agreement” which he said “has the full support of the United States.”
“The United States supports all efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, including American nationals,” Sullivan said in a statement. “This includes ongoing negotiations and other means. A hostage release and ceasefire agreement currently being negotiated would ensure the release of all remaining hostages, along with Israeli security guarantees and relief for innocent civilians in Gaza.”
The IDF said the four hostages – Noah Al-Ghamani, 25, Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrei Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40 – were rescued in a joint operation by the IDF, the IDF and the Israeli Police. statement About X.
Noa Al-Ghamani (25), Almog Meir Yan (21), Andrei Kozlov (27), and Shlomi Ziv (40) were rescued in a special operation by the Israel Defense Forces, the International Israeli Army and the Israeli police from two locations in central Nuseirat after being kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival.
They are fine… pic.twitter.com/PnkjL4GRQz
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 8, 2024
Al-Ghamani has been one of the most publicised hostages since video footage of her kidnapping from a music festival was made public.
The hostages were reportedly rescued from two locations in the Nuseirat Center, a Palestinian refugee camp in the Gaza Strip.
Video footage of the abduction shows Al-Ghamani screaming and trying to reach out to her boyfriend as she is taken away on a motorbike.
Jesus declared that even after his death, our relationship will continue between us. Jesus declared that even after his death, our relationship will continue between us.
Unaffiliated people in Gaza, or “innocents” as they prefer to call them, kidnapped the couple Noa Al-Ghamani and Ebintan Olu. pic.twitter.com/7t7glThb73
— ינון בן חמו – inon – ٥ينون (@inonbh6) December 20, 2023
“They are in good health and have been transferred to Sheva 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, leaving around 1,200 people dead and more than 250 taken hostage.
In response to the attack, Israel announced a “total siege” of the Gaza Strip, including launching a military operation to destroy Hamas and rescue the hostages.
While some of the hostages held by Hamas have been released and the bodies of others have been recovered, there are still around 130 hostages remaining, of which 40 are known to be dead and at least 60 are believed to be alive.
News of the rescue comes as the Biden administration and other Democrats have stepped up pressure in recent weeks on Israel to agree to a ceasefire, with State Department spokesman Matthew Miller acknowledging to reporters that President Joe Biden’s recent three-pronged plan is “substantially identical” to the one proposed by Hamas.
Biden’s plan would see a “six-week ceasefire” and “the start of negotiations towards a permanent ceasefire,” as well as a reconstruction plan for Gaza.
Breitbart News outlined three phases of the plan:
- A six-week ceasefire that sees the release of some hostages, including five American hostages; Israel releases a number of Palestinian prisoners; Palestinian civilians are allowed to return to their homes throughout Gaza; and humanitarian aid is pumped into the Gaza Strip for distribution to civilians.
- Negotiations towards a permanent ceasefire have begun and will continue beyond the six-week deadline as long as the negotiations continue. If the negotiations are successful, all remaining hostages will be released.
- A major reconstruction plan for the Gaza Strip will be implemented and the bodies of dead hostages will be returned.
Israel is conducting “limited operations in eastern Rafah,” Hamas’ last stronghold. Israeli officials say it is crucial to enter Rafah to defeat Hamas terrorists and rescue the remaining hostages.
