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Joe Biden welcomes four-year-old Abigail Edan's release from Hamas with fervent wish, but trolls spoil the mood

President Joe Biden delivered an emotional speech about the release of four-year-old US hostage Abigail Edan, whose parents were killed by the Hamas

NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS: In a heartfelt address from the White Elephant Hotel on Nantucket, President Joe Biden expressed joy at the release of four-year-old Israeli-American Abigail Mor Edan, one of the hostages freed by Hamas on Sunday, November 26.

President Biden, concluding his family's Thanksgiving vacation, delivered an emotional speech and emphasized the unimaginable ordeal that the young child endured.

The four-year-old, who celebrated her fourth birthday in captivity, tragically witnessed the murder of her parents during a Hamas attack on October 7.

Biden, visibly moved, expressed his relief, saying, "Thank God she's home. I just can't imagine the enjoyment. I wish I were there to hold her." The White House later confirmed that the POTUS had spoken with Edan's relatives in both the United States and Israel, extending his support and condolences.  

Internet reacts to Joe Biden's speech about Abigail Edan's release

President Joe Biden's compassionate response garnered praise on social media, with many users commending his leadership and empathy.

An X (formerly Twitter) user wrote, "Nearly in tears watching President Biden speak about Abigail, the 4-year-old now free. President Biden said, 'What she endured is unthinkable…I wish I were there to hold her.' President Biden is such a good person. He’s the leader we need. He’s our Consoler in Chief."

Another noted, "Compassion over hatred any day. President Biden is the experienced leader we need to navigate all the global challenges faced while wars rage. Thankful."

A person gushed, "I was crying with joy! Thank God for Biden's compassion and leadership!!!"

"Hes absolutely what this country and world needs at this moment. And I mean the last 3 years and the next 5," added someone else. 

However, the feedback wasn't without ridicule as it seemed his statement "I wish I was there to hold her" wasn't well-received by a lot of people online.

One remarked, "He probably should've left it at 'Thank God she's home'," while another offered, "He always has to make it weird." 

 "Well, he really ruined that moment," stated a netizen. 

Someone else tried to make sense of the president's remark, saying, "Actually, I understand that desire. It's normal. You want to do something to comfort. To try to help a child feel safe. He's still creepy though." 

President Joe Biden's commitment to hostage release

Joe Biden, hopeful for the release of other American hostages in the coming days, pledged relentless efforts. He declared, "We will not stop working until every hostage has been returned to their loved ones," emphasizing the commitment to the safe return of all hostages.

While expressing optimism, Biden acknowledged his lack of information about Edan's current condition or recent pictures since her release. "Today she's free, and Jill and I, together with so many Americans, are praying for the fact that she is going to be alright," said the president.

Highlighting the support needed for the four-year-old after enduring a "terrible trauma," Biden recounted the harrowing events leading to her captivity. Her parents were killed in a Hamas attack, and Abigail, after witnessing their deaths, sought refuge with a neighbor, leading to a 50-day hostage situation.

The president credited the release to "a lot of hard work and weeks of personal engagement" with leaders from Israel, Egypt, and Qatar. He extended special thanks to Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani for ensuring the smooth progress of the hostage release, overcoming a hurdle on November 25.

Advocating for a pause in the fighting to facilitate humanitarian aid and hostage releases, Biden expressed concern for the suffering of innocent children in Gaza. He affirmed his goal to continue the pause as long as hostages "keep coming out," emphasizing the need for ongoing humanitarian relief.

"That's my goal. That's our goal, to keep this pause going beyond tomorrow so we can continue to see more hostages come out and surge more humanitarian relief to those in need in Gaza," stated the POTUS.

He continued, "This is the day-by-day approach, hour-by-hour process, nothing is guaranteed and nothing is being taken for granted," adding, "But the proof that this is working and worth pursuing further is in every smile and every grateful tear we see in the faces of those families that are finally getting back together again." 

"The proof is little Abigail," Biden added, as per USA Today.