This is an entry from: Israel-Palestine live: Israel and Palestinians agree to truce, hostage deal
Biden "extraordinarily gratified" by hostage deal
22 November 2023 04:31 GMT
US President Joe Biden on Tuesday said he was deeply relieved that some hostages taken after Hamas's 7 October attack on Israel will go free under a deal brokered with the help of Qatar and Egypt.
"I am extraordinarily gratified that some of these brave souls... will be reunited with their families once this deal is fully implemented," Biden said in a statement released by the White House.
Biden thanked the ruler of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt for helping to mediate the deal.
He also said he appreciated the commitment by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to support a pause in fighting.
Biden said he would speak with all of the leaders in the coming days.