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National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said in an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that the Biden administration has “reason to believe” one American hostage will be released on Sunday, the third day of a temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.
Asked by host Kristen Welker this morning if he expects American hostages to be released today, Sullivan said: “The initial hostage deal involves the release of women and children, and there are three Americans in that category: two women and one young child. And we have reason to believe that one of those Americans will be released today.”
“But until we see her out — safely from Gaza, in the hands of the authorities and ultimately in the hands of her family — then we won’t be certain,” he added. “But we have reason to believe that there will be one release today.”
A second U.S. official also told NBC News the White House has “reason to believe” an American is expected to be among those released Sunday. No American hostages have been released as part of the deal thus far.
On Saturday, 13 Israelis and four Thai citizens were released from Gaza as part of a deal that has seen delays, bringing the total to 26 Israelis freed from Gaza. As part of the agreement, 39 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel were also released on the second day of the truce.
In total, 50 of an estimated 240 people taken by militants in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and 150 Palestinians held by Israel are expected to be released by the end of the cease-fire Monday.
Sullivan said the U.S. is “hopeful” that more Americans will be released in the coming days.
“We think it’s long past time,” Sullivan said, adding that one of the hostages, Abigail Mor Idan, an American girl who turned 4 in captivity, “tragically lost her parents” in the war.
Health officials in Gaza said more than 14,500 have died and more than 1.7 million have been displaced after weeks of Israeli attacks. The Israel Defense Forces estimate 1,200 people were killed in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, with more than 200 people held hostage in Gaza.
Amid pressure from some Democrats who have expressed empathy toward Palestinians, Sullivan did not rule out the possibility that Biden would support making U.S. aid to Israel conditional.
Biden had said during a recent press gaggle that the question of aid to Israel with conditions is a “worthwhile thought.” Asked by Welker if the administration would support that, Sullivan said: “In that answer, President [Joe] Biden acknowledged that idea but he went on to say that his approach — President Biden’s approach, which was high-level private diplomacy — has actually generated results.”
Pressed by Welker to clarify if Biden is “open to signing legislation that would provide aid to Israel that comes with conditions,” Sullivan did not rule it out.
“He is going to continue to focus on what is going to generate results,” Sullivan said. “And as he said in the press conference quite clearly, and as you can see from the fact that for the last few days we’ve seen hostages released, the approach that he is taking — direct presidential diplomacy behind closed doors with the Israelis and with our Arab partners — that’s what’s generating the kinds of results that we’re seeing right now.”
Sullivan also noted that Biden is scheduled to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the phone Sunday.
“President Biden has been on the phone just in the last 24 hours with the emir of Qatar. He will be speaking today with the prime minister of Israel,” he said. “So he’s continuing to work this hour by hour to see if we can secure those additional days of pause and those additional hostages coming home to their families.”
Kelly O’Donnell contributed.
