Politics chat: White Home negotiating the discharge of American hostages

We have a look at the place the White Home is in negotiating the discharge of American hostages held by Hamas, in addition to how these efforts are resonating with voters.

SARAH MCCAMMON, HOST:

Extra hostages are anticipated to be launched as we speak, however there have been no People among the many first two teams of hostages launched by Hamas to this point this weekend, however the state of affairs stays fluid. When President Biden was requested on Friday particularly about when the American hostages held by Hamas is perhaps launched, here is what he needed to say.

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PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: We do not know when that may happen, however we will be – anticipate it to happen. And we do not know what the listing of all of the hostages are and after they’ll be launched, however we all know the numbers which are going to be launched. So it is my hope and expectation it’s going to be quickly.

MCCAMMON: To listen to just a little bit extra about what President Biden is hoping for within the coming days and weeks, we’re joined by NPR White Home correspondent Asma Khalid. Good morning, Asma.

ASMA KHALID, BYLINE: Good morning, Sarah.

MCCAMMON: So it appears like midway into this four-day truce/prisoner trade, there are nonetheless fairly just a few unknowns. Two People had been launched in late October, however none have been since. Asma, what have you ever heard about why no People had been launched amongst those that had been launched to this point these previous couple of days?

KHALID: Properly, Sarah, we do not have a transparent reply. In complete, this non permanent pause in combating is meant to safe the discharge of at the very least 50 ladies and kids. And a spokesman with Biden’s Nationwide Safety Council stated yesterday that they continue to be hopeful that this deal will embrace three Americans. They stated that they’re nonetheless early on this non permanent truce, this non permanent course of, however they won’t touch upon particular person circumstances as the method is underway.

We had been beforehand instructed final week by a senior administration official that this deal might safe the discharge of a small little one, an American citizen whose dad and mom had been killed in the course of the October 7 assaults. And it is not clear what number of hostages are American. We have been instructed by the administration that some 10 People are presently unaccounted for.

MCCAMMON: Asma, what’s the Biden administration doing to attempt to hold issues transferring in the best route between Hamas and Israel?

KHALID: Properly, you realize, Sarah, you talked about on the outset right here this hourslong delay yesterday. And at that time, it appeared actually unclear whether or not this deal would even maintain up. And I’ll say, the Biden administration was quite instrumental behind the scenes to shaping this negotiation and ensuring that issues went via. I imply, a part of the difficulty from Hamas’ perspective is this isn’t solely about hostages. It’s also about permitting extra help into Gaza to assist the lots of of 1000’s of Palestinians who’re prevented from leaving Gaza to have fundamental requirements like meals.

And so yesterday morning, the place issues had been being held up, President Biden spoke with the emir of Qatar and the Qatari prime minister about mechanisms to resolve the holdups. Qatar has been the principle mediator with Hamas. And the White Home says that senior Biden administration officers had been in common contact all through the day yesterday with the Israelis, the Qataris and the Egyptians to determine a option to get this deal again on monitor. And in the end, it looks as if it labored.

MCCAMMON: Is there any pondering that serving to dealer this deal would possibly assist Biden politically, particularly with a few of these youthful voters with whom he is been struggling?

KHALID: You already know, he was actually key in getting this hostage deal in place. And his staff had weeks of intense negotiations to make this occur. So, Sarah, I do assume it is very important say that, you realize, the president does deserve credit score for this all. However what younger voters need shouldn’t be a brief truce. They need a cease-fire. And it is not clear to me that if the combating resumes and the pictures on social media of demise and destruction in Gaza proceed – that Biden will actually see a lot of a shift with youthful voters. Our most up-to-date PBS NewsHour/Marist ballot from earlier this month discovered {that a} majority of Democrats and significantly youthful voters thought that the Israeli navy response to the Hamas assault had been, quote, “an excessive amount of.”

MCCAMMON: And sticking with voters for a second, President Biden goes to go to Colorado this week to focus on his financial insurance policies. Is he getting any traction there with voters?

KHALID: He doesn’t appear to be. I imply, polls have persistently proven that People have a whole lot of angst in regards to the financial system. The White Home appears to assume that it is a message and branding subject, not essentially a substance subject, and so they’re satisfied they should hold promoting the president’s financial wins to the general public. And that is what you are going to see this week.

MCCAMMON: That is NPR White Home correspondent Asma Khalid. Good to speak with you as at all times, Asma.

KHALID: Good to speak with you, as nicely.

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