(TheConservativeTimes.org) – Over the weekend, national security advisor Jake Sullivan evaded a question about whether the Biden administration’s discussions with Qatar to free U.S. citizens jailed by Hamas militants in Gaza may imperil Americans worldwide.
NBC’s Kristen Welker questioned Sullivan on Meet The Press on Sunday if he was concerned that openly bargaining a hostage release conveys a signal that the United States is willing to cooperate with terrorists, even indirectly, and may put more Americans in jeopardy.
The Biden administration gave Iran $6 billion to free five U.S. citizens wrongfully incarcerated by Iran.
Sullivan claimed that President Biden led the way in bringing home unjustly imprisoned or captive Americans. The president stated he had no greater priority than bringing Americans home, so he had to make tough choices, but that these did not set precedent or indicate permanent policies. If an American person is detained abroad, we will use diplomacy, influence, and pressure to send them home safely, Sullivan said.
On last Friday’s episode of “Mornings with Maria” on the Fox Business Network, Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) said that President Joe Biden ought to demand the release of the Americans held hostage by the terrorist group Hamas, but instead, Biden has granted a sanctions waiver to Iran so that it can sell energy to Iraq for billions of dollars.
The US could cut off funding to terrorist groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and others by putting economic pressure on Iran, according to Gimenez, but the US is unwilling to do so. Therefore, the American government should either work with Israel or on its own behalf to accomplish the duties that the Israelis have set before them. Thus, this president once again demonstrates nothing but weakness Gimenez said, and he doubts Biden can rescue the US hostages.
The White House said on Monday that Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement to prolong the four-day truce in Gaza by two days, under the condition that Hamas free 20 more Israeli captives during that time.
Official John Kirby, a national security aide at the White House, acknowledged the agreement to reporters, adding that Israel would resume battle when the truce expired. Soldiers from Israel are still stationed in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
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