On Sunday, January 19th, U.S. President Biden arrived in Charleston, South Carolina to deliver a speech on the ceasefire in Gaza and the implementation of the hostage agreement. Sunday marked the final full day in office for the Biden administration, with President-elect Trump scheduled to be inaugurated on Monday, January 20th.
Biden, in his speech, stated that with Hamas handing over three hostages, “the sound of gunfire in Gaza has ceased”. This release of the first group of hostages took place during the first phase of the ceasefire agreement that went into effect on Sunday.
“I’ve finally realized the Middle East deal that I first proposed in May last year. The ceasefire is now effective in Gaza. Today, we saw hostages being released, three Israeli women (hostages) who were forcibly held in a dark tunnel for 470 days,” Biden said.
The President added that Hamas has been severely weakened by Israel, and the leadership of Hezbollah has also been destroyed.
“That region has undergone a fundamental change,” Biden said. “After experiencing so much pain, destruction, and loss of life, today, the sound of gunfire in Gaza has ceased.”
The displaced people of Gaza, due to the war, have begun to return to their homes, and aid trucks loaded with much-needed supplies have also entered the Gaza Strip.
Biden expressed satisfaction with his team and the team of President-elect Trump for working “in unison” in the final days of his presidency to help finalize the Gaza ceasefire agreement and the hostage agreement.
“This has been necessary, effective, and unprecedented, but success requires our continued support for our friends in the region and belief in diplomatic strategies backed by deterrence,” Biden said. “Now, the responsibility falls on the next government to help implement this agreement.”
An Israeli military official told CNN that with the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces have withdrawn from multiple locations in southern and northern Gaza.
According to a statement from the Israeli military, the three Israeli hostages released by Hamas on Sunday have now returned to Israel. Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari will be reunited with their families.
“The released hostages are currently en route to a preliminary reception point in southern Israel where they will undergo initial medical evaluation,” the military said. “They will then be transferred to the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Aviv.”
The military also stated in the declaration that the Red Cross had previously transferred the hostages to the Israeli military in Gaza.