'There would be ceasefire tomorrow if...': Joe Biden's stern message to Hamas
Joe Biden said that a ceasefire in the war in Gaza is possible «tomorrow» if Hamas released the hostages in its captivity.
He was speaking at a fundraiser event in Seattle on Saturday (local time).
«Before I begin, let me answer a question related to the hostages...You know, there would be a ceasefire tomorrow if...Hamas released the hostages, women, the elderly, and the wounded,» Biden said.
"Israel said it's up to Hamas if they wanted to do it, we could end it tomorrow. And the ceasefire would begin tomorrow," he added.
This comes after Israeli and Hamas negotiating teams left Cairo, Egypt without a deal earlier this week, as reported by CNN.
Earlier on Friday, families of the five Americans believed to be held hostage in Gaza met with national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk.
According to a readout of the meeting from representatives for the families, they «expressed their immense frustration with yet another pause, especially after recent hostage videos showed their loved ones disabled, thin, pale, and under apparent duress» to the Biden administration officials.
Hamas said Israel's rejection of a ceasefire plan submitted by mediators at negotiations in Cairo sent hostage release talks back to «square one.» It also accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of «hindering» the ceasefire talks to use negotiations as a cover to attack the southern Gazan city of Rafah.
Notably, Israel has repeatedly refused to agree to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza until Hamas
