Statement from President Joe Biden

After many months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage deal. This agreement will halt the fighting in Gaza, provide much-needed humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity.

The precise contours of this plan were laid out on May 31, 2024, and it was subsequently endorsed unanimously by the UN Security Council. This achievement is the result of the extreme pressure that Hamas has been under, the changed regional equation following a ceasefire in Lebanon and the weakening of Iran, and the dogged and painstaking American diplomacy. The diplomatic efforts never ceased in their mission to accomplish this goal.

As this news is welcomed, there is a remembrance of all the families whose loved ones were killed in Hamas’s October 7th attack, and the many innocent people who lost their lives in the ensuing war. It is long past time for the fighting to end and for the work of building peace and security to begin. Thoughts are also with the American families, three of whom have living hostages in Gaza and four who are awaiting the return of remains after enduring the most horrible ordeal imaginable. Under this deal, there is a determination to bring all of them home.

More will be spoken about this soon. For now, there is immense joy that those who have been held hostage are being reunited with their families.