Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with United States President Joe Biden in Tel Aviv, October 18, 2023. (Avi Ohayon/GPO)
President Joe Biden speaks with Benjamin Netanyahu following release of two elderly Israeli women held captive by Hamas, calls on Israel to ensure continued entry of aid to Gaza.
By World Israel News Staff
President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Monday night, following the return of two elderly Israeli women held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
In a statement released by the White House, a spokesperson for the president said Biden reassured Netanyahu that his administration is committed to securing the release of all the more than 200 people currently held captive by terrorists in the Gaza Strip.
“The President welcomed the release of two additional hostages from Gaza earlier today, and reaffirmed his commitment to ongoing efforts to secure the release of all the remaining hostages taken by Hamas – including Americans – and to provide for safe passage for US citizens and other civilians in Gaza,” the White House said.
Biden also called on Israel to permit continued entry of humanitarian aid to the Hamas-ruled Strip.
“The President also underscored the need to sustain a continuous flow of urgently needed humanitarian assistance into Gaza. The President updated the Prime Minister on US support for Israel and ongoing efforts at regional deterrence, to include new US military deployments. They agreed to speak again in the coming days.”
On Monday, Hamas terrorists released 79-year-old Nurit Cooper and 85-year-old Yocheved Lifshitz, both residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz who were kidnapped on October 7th.
Their husbands are still being held in Gaza.
The two were taken in Red Cross ambulances to Egypt before being transferred to the IDF.
The women are the third and fourth of the captives to be released thus far.
Israel has identified 220 additional captives held in Gaza. Hamas claims it is holding roughly 250 captives.
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