Biden expects more captives to be released in coming days

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
24 Nov 2023 23:36
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The US President emphasized the necessity for renewed efforts to address the Israeli occupation of Palestine through the implementation of a "two-state solution."

President Joe Biden speaks to reporters in Nantucket, Mass., on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, about hostages freed by Hamas in the first stage of a swap under a four-day cease-fire deal (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

US President Joe Biden stated on Friday that the Palestinian resistance group Hamas is expected to release additional Israeli captives in the coming days.

"As I said, today's releases are the start of a process, we expect more hostages to be released tomorrow, more the day after, and more the day after that," Biden said.

"We also remember all those who are still being held and renew our commitment to work for their release as well," Biden said during a press conference.

Biden further emphasized the necessity for renewed efforts to address the issue through the implementation of a so-called "two-state solution."

When asked if there are chances for the temporary ceasefire to be extended, Biden responded in the affirmative.

Temporary truce kicks off

Earlier today, the temporary truce between the Israeli occupation and the resistance came into effect at 7 am, following an Israeli aggression that has persisted for 47 days, leaving thousands injured and killed.

The truce will last for four days subject to potential extension. The truce entails the liberation of a number of imprisoned Palestinian women and minors (under the age of 19) from Israeli occupation jails and the admission of relief aid and fuel in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Scenes of the #Palestinian masses receiving women and child prisoners, who were liberated through an exchange deal signed by the resistance in #Gaza and the Israeli occupation regime.#Palestine pic.twitter.com/glUQp7LKJH
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 24, 2023

In the last hours before the truce came into effect, the Israeli occupation launched intense airstrikes against the northern, central, and southern Gaza Strip, targeting schools (that housed displaced individuals), hospitals, and houses, and resulting in dozens of casualties.

On another note, 150 aid trucks were reported to have entered the besieged Gaza Strip, including four trucks loaded with fuel through the Rafah crossing, as reported by Al Mayadeen's correspondent.

Our correspondent stated that the filling of fuel tanks transported by trucks from Egyptian territories through the Rafah crossing is still ongoing, and the distribution will take place at a later time.

UNRWA hampers aid delivery to North

However, a mere three trucks arrived to the most war-stricken parts of Gaza in the north.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is hampering the delivery of aid trucks to the northern Gaza Strip, sources told Al Mayadeen.

UNRWA has proven time and again that it is colluding with the Israeli policy of ethnic cleansing the northern part of Gaza during the period of the aggression on the Strip, as the head of the Government Media Office Salamah Maarouf said on October 31.

Maarouf said that UNRWA and its officials are not living up to their obligations and that they are conspiring with "Israel" which seeks to forcibly displace Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.

On his part, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Ashraf al-Qudra, said that the UN agency has turned its back on the residents of the Gaza Strip in general, leaving children unvaccinated, and terminally ill individuals without medication, as well as neglecting the needs o hospitals all over the Gaza Strip.