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US President Joe Biden and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani agree that all hostages should be released, according to the White House.
The two leaders spoke on Sunday about “urgent ongoing efforts” to secure the release of hostages being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Biden “unequivocally” condemned the holding of hostages by Hamas, according to the White House statement.
“The two leaders agreed that all hostages must be released without further delay,” the statement said.
Qatar has been leading mediation efforts between Hamas and Israeli officials over the hostages.
Israeli authorities say Hamas killed around 1,200 people in southern Israel and took over 200 hostages in its attacks on October 7. The group is classified as a terrorist organization by Germany, the United States, the European Union and several other countries.
US President Joe Biden’s National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, said that negotiations were taking place.
“There are efforts to secure a deal that would involve the release of hostages,” Sullivan told the ABC broadcaster.
“I have to be careful about what I say publicly about this because it is of course a delicate and sensitive negotiation,” he said.
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