MEAWW.COM / NEWS / POLITICS

'Zero Americans released': President Joe Biden slammed as he says hostage release by Hamas is 'only a start'

Joe Biden faced backlash after no American citizens were released on the first day of the Qatar-brokered truce deal between Israel and Hamas

NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS: President Joe Biden is facing backlash on social media after no American citizens were released following the Qatar-brokered truce deal between Israel and Hamas.

On Friday, November 24, the first day of the four-day pause, Hamas released 24 hostages, 13 Israelis, 10 Thais, and one Filipino national, as per BBC. Biden reportedly welcomed the release, saying it is "only a start."

Under the deal, 50 women and children hostages will be released during the four-day ceasefire in return for 150 Palestinian women and children among thousands detained in Israel.

President Joe Biden does not know when Americans will be released

The US was successful in releasing only two citizens from the Hamas captivity, Judith and Natalie Raanan, on October 20. Many families were looking forward to the truce to see the rest of the American hostages.

According to CNN, 10 US citizens are among the hostages, including two women and a three-year-old.

While addressing the media on November 24 from Nantucket's White Elephant Hotel, as he's spending Thanksgiving vacation with his family, Biden considered the four-day pause and hostage release as a "product of a lot of hard work and weeks of personal engagement." 

"From the moment Hamas kidnapped these people, I, along with my team, have worked around the clock to secure their release," said Biden.

"We don't know when that will occur, but we expect it to occur. And we don't know what the list of all the hostages are or when they'll be released, but we know the numbers when they're going to be released. So my hope and expectation is that it will be soon," added the POTUS.

Internet slams Joe Biden as he welcomed hostage release truce

Despite Joe Biden claiming that his administration was a key partner in brokering the truce, the netizens showed dissatisfaction as no American hostages were released.

One user stated, "No Americans released," while another said, "Zero Americans released." 

A person asked, "How many of the Americans were released?"

Someone else noted, "But not a single American was released. America last, once again." 

"It's outrageous that Americans are still being held hostage," expressed one more. 

Another person criticized the POTUS, saying, "And not a US citizen among those 24! You fail, again!"