(PartiallyPolitics.com) – President Joe Biden has recently faced criticism on social media following the release of 24 hostages by Hamas during a temporary ceasefire, none of whom were American. This development occurred amidst a conflict that saw Hamas capture approximately 240 hostages and cause 1,200 fatalities in a surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7. Israel’s subsequent air and ground response led to over 12,700 Palestinian deaths, as reported by the Associated Press and based on information from the Hamas-run Health Ministry.
The recent hostage release included 13 Israelis, part of an agreement anticipated to free 50 hostages over four days. This deal also involved the release of 150 Palestinian women and children from Israeli custody and additional humanitarian aid. The initial exchange saw the release of 39 Palestinians, along with 10 Thai nationals and one Filipino, all of whom were working in Israel.
The absence of American hostages in this release sparked critical reactions from conservative figures against Biden, who had expressed support for the agreement, citing its potential to bring back additional American hostages. Commentator Carmine Sabia, podcaster Alec Lace, and Trump supporter Graham Allen voiced their concerns and criticisms on X, a social media platform. They questioned Biden’s effectiveness and compared his approach unfavorably to that of former President Trump.
This situation also revived discussions about Biden’s previous decision to trade Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout for WNBA star Brittney Griner, which had occurred in December 2022. Critics like Phil Holloway highlighted the absence of American hostages in the recent release and suggested Biden should refrain from claiming credit, emphasizing Israel’s role in the process.
However, a senior White House official told NBC News that while no Americans were expected in the initial group, there was hope for their inclusion in subsequent releases. President Biden himself remained optimistic about further releases, emphasizing the role of U.S. diplomacy in the process and his commitment to bringing all hostages home. An investigation by The Daily Beast suggested that at least 10 Americans are among those captured by Hamas.
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