U.S. President Joe Biden did not hear a question from a reporter who asked whether Israel should delay a potential ground invasion of Gaza until more hostages can get out, when he answered, "yes", the White House said.
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"The president was far away. He didn't hear the full question. The question sounded like 'Would you like to see more hostages released?' He wasn't commenting on anything else," White House spokesperson Ben LaBolt said.
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Judith and Natali Ra'anan in a photo taken by Hamas upon their release from captivity in Gaza
Biden was walking up the steps to board Air Force One when a reporter shouted the question over the sound of the plane's engines. Bidens stopped for a moment and said, "yes," and then proceeded onto the plane.
The Islamist group Hamas released two U.S. hostages, mother and daughter Judith and Natalie Raanan, who were kidnapped in its attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7.
The terror group said it intended to keep its promise to release those among the hostages who hold dual citizenship. Officials in Israel said the freeing of Judith and Natalie Ra'anan on Friday has no bearing on the IDF's operational plans and that it was an attempt by Hamas to pressure the U. S. to in turn put pressure on Israel to delay its land offensive.
On Friday Biden said he was overjoyed at the news of the two's release.