BY NBC NEWS
On Sunday, the third day of a brief cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said in an interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that the Biden administration had “reason to believe” that one American captive would be freed.
Jake Sullivan
“The initial hostage deal involves the release of women and children and there are three Americans in that category: two women and one young child,” Sullivan stated in response to a question this morning from anchor Kristen Welker about whether he expected American captives to be freed today. We also have good cause to think that one of those Americans is going to be freed today.”
He then on, “But we won’t be certain until we see her out — safely from Gaza, in the hands of the authorities, and ultimately in the hands of her family.” “However, there’s good reason to think that today will only see one release.”
The White House has “reason to believe” that an American is anticipated to be among those freed on Sunday, a second U.S. official told NBC News.
As part of a delayed agreement, 13 Israelis and four Thai nationals were liberated from Gaza on Saturday, bringing the total number of Israelis released from Gaza to 26. On the second day of the ceasefire, 39 Palestinian detainees detained by Israel were also freed in accordance with the deal.Jake Sullivan
By the conclusion of the cease-fire on Monday, it is anticipated that 50 of the estimated 240 individuals captured by militants in the Hamas assault on October 7 and 150 Palestinians detained by Israel would be freed.
According to Sullivan, the United States is “hopeful” that additional Americans will be freed in the days to come.Jake Sullivan
“We believe it’s long overdue,” Sullivan said, adding that an American child named Abigail Mor Idan, who turned four while being held captive, “tragically lost her parents” in the conflict.Jake Sullivan
