Staff Reports
Republican contenders running for the presidential nomination have expressed approval for the recent agreement between Israel and Hamas. However, they've raised concerns about the limited number of hostages set to be released, cautioning that President Biden might exploit the temporary cessation of hostilities to pressure Israel into accepting a "permanent cease-fire."
The accord, sanctioned by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s war cabinet, involves the release of 50 hostages held by terrorists in the Gaza Strip. In return, there will be a four-day suspension of the six-week-long conflict and the liberation of 150 Palestinians from Israeli prisons.
Republican 2024 candidates applaud Israel-Hamas hostage deal https://t.co/SCRuSxj5tw pic.twitter.com/EGKGd9pC6d
— New York Post (@nypost) November 22, 2023
Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, ex-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum have welcomed the imminent release of hostages but questioned the rationale behind releasing only 50 individuals. They have called for the immediate release of all hostages and expressed apprehension that President Biden might push for a lasting cease-fire.
The Israeli government has affirmed its commitment to releasing all approximately 240 hostages held by Hamas and has pledged to extend the cease-fire for every additional 10 hostages set free.
Christie, who recently met with hostage families during a trip to Israel, stressed the urgency of freeing American hostages held by Hamas. Similarly, Burgum urged Israel to take decisive action against Hamas once the cease-fire concludes.
Republican leaders criticized President Biden, alleging that his potential pressure for a permanent cease-fire could be seen as a victory for Hamas and Iran, constituting a significant setback for both the United States and Israel.
President Biden, in contrast, lauded the agreement and commended the leaders of Qatar and Egypt for their roles in brokering the deal. He also praised Israel's commitment to the cease-fire and pledged to continue efforts for the release of all American hostages.
It's worth noting that, as of midday Wednesday, there were no public statements from the campaigns of former President Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy regarding the hostage release.
