UPDATE - Biden says 'chances are real' to extend humanitarian pauses in Gaza

ADDS REMARKS FROM BIDEN

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Joe Biden on Friday said "chances are real" to extend the humanitarian pause between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

“I think the chances are real,” Biden said when asked by a reporter about the chances that the four-day humanitarian pause in Gaza could be extended, during a news conference in Massachusetts.

Biden said Friday's Gaza hostage release is "only a start," adding that he expects more hostages to be released Saturday and days after that.

"Today's release are the start of a process," he said, “Over the next few days, we expect that dozens of hostages will be returned to their families. We also remember all those who are still being held and renew our commitment to work for their release as well."

Biden renewed the US’ commitment to work for the release of those who are still being held as well as two American women, and 4-year-old Abigail Mor Edan, who remains among those missing.

The US president said he remains in personal contact with the leaders of Qatar, Egypt and Israel to make sure that the deal "stays on track" and every aspect of it is implemented.

The US will be informed about the second wave of hostages released of from the Gaza Strip in the next hour, Biden said.

- Humanitarian assistance into Gaza

Biden also said the extended pause brings a “critical opportunity” to deliver much-needed food, medicine, water and fuel to the civilians in Gaza.

“Since my trip to Israel last month. I've been focused on accelerating the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza in coordination with the United Nations and the Red Cross,” Biden said.

Recalling a recent talk with David Satterfield, the US special envoy for the Middle East humanitarian issues, Biden said the US continues its efforts to “make sure aid gets to the people who need it.”


- Two-state solution

The US also looks to the future to “end this cycle of violence” in the Middle East, Biden said, reiterating the US support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

“We need to renew our resolve to pursue this two-state solution where Israelis and Palestinians can one day live side by side in a two-state solution with equal measure of freedom and dignity,” he said.

“Two states for two peoples.,” he stressed, “And it's more important now than ever.”

Biden also said he has encouraged Netanyahu to "focus on trying to reduce the number of casualties while he is attempting to eliminate Hamas,” adding: “That's a difficult task."

The four-day humanitarian pause between the Israeli army and Palestinian group Hamas came into effect Friday morning in all areas of the Gaza Strip, temporarily stopping attacks for prisoner exchange and aid.

Israel launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip following the Hamas attack, killing more than 14,854 Palestinians, including 6,150 children and over 4,000 women, according to health authorities in the enclave.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is around 1,200, according to official figures.