Quotes
Israel is intending to win decisively on all fronts,
he said
In the last two months, there was the sense and the strong feeling in Israel of a six-day war or a big victory against Hamas and Hezbollah and the fall of Syria,
he saidIt is critical that the ceasefire implementation continues and that all of the hostages are freed from Hamas captivity and safely returned to their families,
the US State Department said
The United States celebrates the release of the four Israeli hostages held in captivity for 477 days,
the State Department addedThe question is now, after clear violations by the Israelis, how will the US respond? Will they use pressure to ensure adherence, or are we seeing the breakdown of this pause in hostilities so soon after the signing?”
Hellyer said
This is a very delicate matter,
Gershon Baskin, a former Israeli hostage negotiator who used to speak to Hamas through backchannels, told CNNThe issue of hostage release became a test for both sides,
he saidThis EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies,
Trump wrote on social media previously this month
The ironic reality is that at a time of heightened partisanship even over foreign policy, the deal represents how much more powerful and influential U.S. foreign policy can be when it’s bipartisan,
he said a few days before Trump was inauguratedToday the world celebrates as President Trump secured the release of four more Israeli hostages who were, for far too long, held against their will by Hamas in horrific conditions,
the White House said in a statement
We have been speaking as one team,
said Biden from the White HouseMy diplomacy never ceased in their efforts to get this done,
Biden said a few days before leaving the White HouseIt is the result not only of the extreme pressure that Hamas has been under and the changed regional equation after a ceasefire in Lebanon and weakening of Iran — but also of dogged and painstaking American diplomacy,
he addedIn accordance with the [cease-fire] agreement, Israel will not allow Gazans to move to the northern part of the Strip until the release of civilian Arbel Yehoud, who was supposed to be freed [Saturday], is arranged,
the office stated
The IDF warns the Gazan public not to approach the area until it is opened,
the statement added
Today, as part of these ongoing efforts, we welcomed home four more Israeli hostages after 477 days in Hamas captivity: Liri Albag, aged 19, Naama Levy, aged 20, Karina Ariev, aged 20, Daniella Gilboa, aged 20, four IDF soldiers who were all abducted by Hamas from Nahal Oz on October 7th, 2023,
IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said
Hamas failed to meet its obligations to first release Israeli female civilian hostages as part of the agreement. We are determined to the return of Arbel Yehoud, an Israeli citizen kidnapped from Nir Oz, and also Shiri Bibas and her two children, Kfir and Ariel, whose welfare we are extremely concerned about,
he added, as he went to also thank Egypt, the US, and Qatar for their efforts in mediationHamas did not comply with the agreement on its obligation to return civilian females first."
Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said