Biden and Emir of Qatar Discussed Gaza: All Hostages Must Be Released

(Patria) - U.S. President Joe Biden spoke on Sunday with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani about the developing situation in Gaza and "urgent ongoing efforts" to secure the release of hostages held by the militant group Hamas, the White House said.

Biden "unequivocally" condemned Hamas's holding of hostages, including many young children, one of whom is a three-year-old U.S. citizen whose parents were killed by the group on October 7, the White House statement said.

"The two leaders agreed that all hostages must be released without further delay," it added.

Reuters reported last week that Qatar, home to the political leadership of several Hamas factions, has been leading mediation efforts between Hamas and Israeli officials regarding the hostages.

Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told CNN's "State of the Union" earlier on Sunday that "active, intensive negotiations" involving Israel, Qatar, Egypt, and the United States were underway to secure the release of more hostages, but it was unclear if they were all alive.

"The goal here is to do what is necessary at the negotiating table to ensure the safe return of all hostages, including Americans," Sullivan said, noting that nine Americans were missing, along with one person with U.S. permanent resident status.

"We don't know the status, whether they are alive or deceased, but we are seeking the safe return of all of these individuals," he said.

Sullivan says he will meet with the families of American hostages this week. A U.S. official said Brett McGurk, Biden's senior advisor for the Middle East, will visit Israel on Tuesday and meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with further visits planned for Brussels, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Qatar.

The Qatari government previously said that Al Thani, in his conversation with Biden, stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the permanent opening of the Rafah crossing into Egypt.

Washington has rejected calls from Arab leaders and others to insist that Israel halt its offensive in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. The White House statement did not mention any discussion of a ceasefire, only stating that the leaders spoke about the need to "protect innocent civilians and ongoing efforts to increase the flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza."

Biden also reaffirmed his vision of a future Palestinian state "in which Israelis and Palestinians can live side-by-side with equal measures of stability and dignity," the White House said, adding that Hamas has long been an obstacle to that.