The United States and 17 other countries, including Thailand, on Thursday appealed to Hamas to release sick, elderly and injured hostages to end the crisis in Gaza.
18 countries whose citizens are still held by Hamas have appealed for the release of the hostages, six months after the Palestinian militant group launched its terror attack on southern Israel and killed 1,200 people. Eight Thais are among these hostages.
But Hamas reiterated its demand that Israel end the Gaza war before agreeing to a deal to free hostages held in the territory.
“We call for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza for more than 200 days,” the 18-country statement said, in what a senior U.S. official called an “extraordinary display of unanimity.” .
The signatories are the leaders of the United States, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, from Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Thailand and the United Kingdom.
“We emphasize that the possible agreement for the release of the hostages would bring an immediate and prolonged ceasefire in Gaza, which would facilitate the delivery of necessary humanitarian aid throughout the Gaza Strip, and would lead to an end credible hostilities,” the statement said.
“Gazans would be able to return to their homes and lands with prior preparations to ensure shelter and humanitarian supplies. »
A senior US official, who briefed reporters on the statement, said there could be a path to a deal on the hostage crisis, but he was not yet fully convinced of its positive outcome.
He gave no further details, but said the resolution depended on “one person”: Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
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 diplomacy, that “it’s Hamas that is dragging its feet” in reaching a deal.
“It is Hamas that continues to walk away from the negotiating table. It is Hamas that refuses to free our people. They must be released immediately,” he said.
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