He mentioned “the probabilities are actual” that the truce may very well be prolonged by a number of extra days. He added that he anticipated American hostages to quickly be launched. And he proclaimed that Hamas “doesn’t give a rattling” about Palestinians caught within the battle, including, “I don’t belief Hamas to do something proper. I solely belief Hamas to reply to strain.”
But when he wanted any reminder of the problems forward — and whether or not the present circumstances can flip from a pause to one thing longer lasting — it got here a number of moments after he exited the lodge.
Strolling with first girl Jill Biden down a purchasing space of quaint shops and a vacation market, the president was greeted by cheers, together with a small group of protesters shouting “Free Palestine!”
The profitable begin of the non permanent pause and the hostage aid plan, although, got here as welcome information for an administration that was central to serving to deliver all of it about. Biden’s agenda has been consumed by the battle for the reason that Hamas invasion of Israel on Oct. 7, with quite a few calls, a visit to Israel and a tough tightrope stroll navigating diplomacy in one of many thorniest areas on the planet.
He’s been underneath unrelenting strain over Israel’s subsequent bombardment of Gaza, particularly from the political left in his personal occasion. The hostage launch not solely provides him an opportunity to declare victory on the hostages, it additionally offers a several-day respite in Israel’s onslaught — and the chance to say his early embrace of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is paying dividends.
The looming query is how long-lasting it’s.
In his remarks, he additionally prominently talked about a few of the Individuals but to be launched, and acknowledged that he doesn’t know the circumstances of all 10 Individuals who’re unaccounted for, together with whether or not all are alive.
“We additionally bear in mind all those that are nonetheless being held, and renew our dedication to work for his or her launch as properly: Two American girls and one 4-year-old youngster, Abigail, who stays amongst these lacking,” he mentioned. “We additionally is not going to cease till we get these hostages introduced residence and a solution to their whereabouts.”
He mentioned he didn’t know when American hostages could be launched however mentioned, “my hope and expectation is will probably be quickly.”
“We count on extra hostages to be launched tomorrow and extra on the day after and extra on the day after that,” he mentioned. “Over the following few days, we count on that dozens of hostages might be returned to their households.”
He invoked the U.S. Thanksgiving vacation — “We can be grateful of households being … reunited with family members who’ve been held hostage for practically 50 days” — and he talked about the affect of a few of the early photographs Friday.
“The teddy bears ready to greet these youngsters on the hospital are a stark reminder of the trauma these youngsters have been via and at such a really younger age,” he mentioned.
However he additionally acknowledged a few of the controversy forward. Requested if there needs to be preconditions on U.S. support to Israel, as some Democrats have steered, he mentioned it was “a worthwhile thought.”
“However I do not assume if I began off with that we’d ever acquired the place we’re at the moment,” he mentioned. “We’ve to take this a chunk at a time.”
Requested how lengthy the battle would take and what message he’s had for Netanyahu, he paused.
“I encourage the prime minister to deal with attempting to scale back the variety of casualties whereas he’s making an attempt to eradicate Hamas, which is the reputable goal,” he mentioned. “That is a troublesome process. And I do not understand how lengthy it should take. My expectation and hope is that as we transfer ahead, the remainder of the Arab world and the area can also be placing strain on all sides to gradual this down, to deliver this to an finish as rapidly as we are able to.”
The president delivered the remarks right here on a sunny afternoon after Thanksgiving, with members of his household spending the afternoon strolling round and purchasing in the primary a part of city.
He has spent a lot of the vacation on the property the place he’s staying, which is owned by David Rubenstein, the billionaire co-founder of the Carlyle Group personal fairness agency. On Wednesday, he referred to as leaders of Israel, Qatar, and Egypt, attempting to make sure that the deal remained in place.
“As we glance to the longer term, we now have to finish this cycle of violence within the Center East,” he mentioned Friday. “We have to renew our resolve to pursue this two-state answer the place Israelis and Palestinians can in the future stay side-by-side in a two-state answer with equal measure of freedom and dignity.”
After his remarks Friday afternoon, he dipped into Brotherhood of Thieves, a household favourite restaurant, for a late lunch. As he swung into the close by Nantucket Bookworks, he mentioned he was performing some Christmas purchasing: “Can’t come with out going to the bookstore. We’ve acquired a convention.” He emerged with a e book — “Democracy Awakening” by Heather Cox Richardson — earlier than persevering with the vacation stroll.
Crowds waved and referred to as out to him, and he shouted, “Completely satisfied Thanksgiving!” He stopped for photographs with a gaggle of youngsters, and his son Hunter took the picture.
The household made their approach towards the city sq. for an annual tree lightning ceremony. A choir sang, the lights got here on, and the temper was merry.
However because the ceremony got here to a conclusion, the president, and the gang, was reminded of the turmoil happening removed from this idyllic island. A bunch of about 10 protesters, standing on to the president’s left and in his line of sight, unveiled a number of indicators that learn, “Free Palestine” and “Finish Apartheid and Genocide.”
The audio system performed “Right here Comes Santa Claus,” over which they may very well be heard shouting “Biden Biden, you may’t disguise! We cost you with genocide!” A person on the microphone requested them to cease, however they continued.
One of many protesters was Sarah Nabulsi, a 34-year-old who grew up in Nantucket and whose father is Palestinian. She mentioned she realized that Biden has spent a lot of his political profession bolstering a pro-Israeli document, however felt on this second they wanted to be heard.
“We wished to confront him,” she mentioned. “We don’t assume its applicable for an elected official to cover right here on this island when he’s accountable for the deaths of hundreds of harmless civilians — instantly accountable.”
She knew of his earlier remarks, touting the discharge of the hostages.
“It’s not a hit,” she mentioned. “I don’t see the way it may very well be with all of the struggling the Palestinians have had.”