The United States welcomes the deal to release 50 hostages, including American citizens, held by [Arab terrorists] since its October 7 attack on Israel. I cannot imagine the ordeal that each of these individuals has endured over the past few weeks, and I am thankful that they will be reunited with their loved ones soon.
Today’s outcome is the result of tireless diplomacy and relentless effort across the Department and broader United States government. I appreciate the leadership and ongoing partnership of Egypt and Qatar in this work. I also thank the government of Israel for supporting a humanitarian pause that will facilitate the transfer of hostages to safety and allow additional humanitarian assistance to reach [Arabs] in Gaza.
While this deal marks significant progress, we will not rest as long as [Arab terrorists] continue to hold hostages in Gaza. My highest priority is the safety and security of Americans overseas, and we will continue our efforts to secure the release of every hostage and their swift reunification with their families.
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Editor's Note: Notably absent from this self-congratulatory statement by the U.S. government is the fact that over 100 convicted Arab terrorists will be released back into Gaza to secure the release of 50 innocent Israelis. This raises concerns as it enables individuals with a history of violence to pose a threat by endangering the lives of others, particularly targeting the Jewish population in the future.