18 Countries Urge Release Of Hostages And End Gaza Crisis, Hamas Says Balls Are In The United States

Hamas said the ball was in the hands of the United States and would not give up on international pressure when Uncle Sam's country and 17 other countries issued a joint statement on Thursday, calling for the release of all hostages and ending the crisis in Gaza.

The statement was signed by leaders of the United States, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Thailand and England.

"We are calling for the immediate release of all hostages detained by Hamas in Gaza for more than 200 days," said a statement from the countries, which a senior US official called an extraordinary form of vote.

The 18 countries all have citizens detained by Hamas, six months after the Palestinian militant group launched an attack on October 7 in southern Israel and killed 1,200 people. Hamas is believed to still have 129 of the 253 hostages held hostage on October 7.

"We emphasize that an agreement to release the hostages will result in an immediate and prolonged ceasefire in Gaza, which will facilitate additional humanitarian aid waves needed to be sent throughout Gaza, and lead to an end to hostilities," the statement said.

"Gaza residents will be able to return to their homes and lands with previous preparations to ensure shelter and humanitarian aid," the statement said.

Ideas for this joint statement came about two weeks ago when White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan met with a group of members of Gaza's family hostage, senior US officials said.

Meanwhile, senior Hamas leader Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters his party would not be affected by the statement, saying the United States needed to force Israel to end its aggression.

"Now the ball is in America's hands," said Abu Zuhri.

A senior American official, who briefed reporters on the statement, said there were some indications there might be a way to reach an agreement on the crisis of hostages. However, he is not entirely sure.

He did not elaborate but said the resolution depends on "one party", namely the leader of Gaza's Hamas, Yahya Sinwar.

Separately, Israeli officials did not immediately confirm or comment on the offer detailed in the statement.

Israeli Government spokesman David Mencer told reporters when asked about hostage-taking diplomacy, "Hamas is the one who is delaying" in reaching an agreement.

"Hamas are the ones who continue to leave the negotiating table. Hamas are the ones who refuse to let our people go. They must be released now," he said.

Proposals regarding hostages filed earlier this year call for the release of sick, elderly, and injured hostages in Gaza in exchange for a six-week ceasefire that could be extended to allow more humanitarian aid to be delivered to the enclave.

This allows Gazans to return without restrictions to northern Gaza, the official said.