Payam Javan: In response to international appeals for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, President Joe Biden insisted on Monday that such a ceasefire should only be considered after Hamas releases its hostages. Biden, speaking during a White House event on “Bidenomics,” emphasized the need for the release of hostages as a prerequisite for any talks on a ceasefire.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby echoed this sentiment, stating that the message to Hamas was clear: release all hostages as the first step towards any potential ceasefire. The U.S. government, in collaboration with Israel and Egypt, is actively working to deliver aid to Gaza through the Rafah crossing while simultaneously negotiating the release of American hostages. The officials stressed concerns that a ceasefire could provide Hamas with an opportunity to regroup and launch further attacks on Israel.

While Russia, China, and Iran have called for a ceasefire, the White House’s stance is firmly centered on the condition of releasing hostages before considering such measures. This position comes in the wake of Hamas’s release of two Israeli hostages, attributed to humanitarian negotiations facilitated by Egypt and Qatar.

The State Department argued that a ceasefire could allow Hamas to rest and regroup, posing a continued threat to Israel, which has been facing rocket attacks from Gaza.