Biden allows discussion of ceasefire after the release of hostages in Gaza

Negotiations on a ceasefire will be possible after Hamas militants release hostages in the Gaza Strip. US President Joe Biden stated this while speaking at the White House, transmits TASS.

“We need the release of the hostages, then we can talk [о прекращении огня]”, – he said.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated, which would cancel the planned ground operation in Gaza if Hamas releases the hostages and lays down its arms. At the same time, the Haaretz newspaper, citing a source, wrote that the militants were considering the possibility of releasing the hostages in exchange for fuel.

Earlier today Hamas released through the mediation of Egypt and Qatar, two more hostages – Nurit Yitzhak and Yocheved Lifshitz. According to MENA, the women have already reached the Rafah checkpoint, which is located on the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. A few days before were released two Americans – Judith Raanan and her daughter Natalie.

October 22, representative of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reportedthat militants are holding 212 hostages in the Gaza Strip. The numbers are not final. The Russian Embassy in Israel previously reported that at least two Russians were on the Hamas list.

On October 7, the Palestinian group Hamas attacked Israel. Against the backdrop of an attack by militants, the army of the Jewish state launched Operation Iron Swords, and the country went into a state of war.

The UN has called the humanitarian situation in Gaza catastrophic due to constant shelling and a complete blockade of the strip. According to the latest data, the death toll as a result of the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has exceeded 6,400 people, more than 5,000 of them are Palestinians.

Russian authorities previously convicted Hamas attack on Israel, while noting at the same time the inadmissibility of Israeli attacks on civilian targets in Gaza. The President of the Russian Federation expressed hope for the end of the conflict and negotiations between the parties. He has also repeatedly called for the creation of an independent Palestine as part of a “two-state” vision for the region.