‘Thanks To President Biden’s…Leadership’: National Security Spox John Kirby Releases Video Explaining Hostage Deal With Hamas

National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby gave credit to President Joe Biden in a public relations video announcing the successful outcome of hostage negotiations with Hamas.

“Today we wake up to good news. Thanks to President Biden’s personal leadership and involvement, a deal now has been struck with Hamas to release more than 50 hostages that Hamas has been holding, all women and children.”

He continued:

In the next day or so we’ll start to see them being united with their families. This deal will also allow for a pause in the fighting for something like four days, maybe longer, we’ll see. And also a much needed surge in humanitarian assistance: food, water, medicine, and fuel to the people of Gaza who so desperately need it.

Now, there’s a lot more work to be done, even as we’re glad to see these hostages get reunited with their families. We’re going to keep supporting Israel; we’ll make sure they have the tools and capabilities they need to go after Hamas. We’re going to continue to work on increasing and accelerate the humanitarian assistance that’s going into Gaza. And, of course, we’re not going to rest until we can get all of the hostages back with their families where they belong. So, a lot more work to do, but it’s a good day today.

The Times of Israel reported that in a phone call, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also thanked Biden “for his efforts to bring about the deal slated to be implemented in the coming hours.”

The news outlet also said President Biden is making calls with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani “to confirm that all details have been taken care of regarding the hostage deal.”

According to the agreement, the IDF will pause its Gaza campaign “as soon as hostage releases commence,” according to the Times. The Knesset has vowed to continue fighting Hamas after the agreed-to ceasefire lapses.

Watch the clip above via The White House.