US President Joe Biden Believes The Hostage Release Deal In Gaza Is Getting Closer

JAKARTA - United States President Joe Biden believes the release of hostages in Gaza in exchange for a ceasefire will materialize in Gaza, Palestine, when the death toll in the Palestinian enclave continues to grow.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday, President Biden believes the deal is imminent to ensure the release of a number of hostages detained by Hamas in Gaza.

"I believe so," President Biden said when asked about a possible hostage release agreement.

Last week, Reuters reported Qatar was seeking an agreement between Israel and Hamas to exchange 50 hostages in exchange for a three-day ceasefire, which would help increase the delivery of emergency aid to Gaza civilians, citing an official providing an explanation of the talks.

It is known that about 240 people were arrested and held hostage in the attack by the Hamas militant group on the southern Israeli territory on October 7. In addition, about 1,200 people died as a result of the attack, according to Israeli tallies.

It made Israel then bombarded and blockaded the enclave, before later carrying out land operations in the city.

Meanwhile, authorities in Gaza on Monday said the death toll from Israeli attacks had soared by more than 13,300 people, as quoted by Anadolu.

In a statement, Gaza-based state media office said the death toll covered 5,600 children and 3,550 women.

He added that the death toll also included 201 medical staff, 22 civil defense rescue teams and 60 journalists.

Separately, Despite the ongoing fighting, Israel's ambassador to the United States, Michael Herzog, told ABC News on Sunday that Israel hopes a large number of hostages can be released by Hamas "in the coming days."