The United States expressed its welcome for the agreement reached between the Palestinian movement Hamas and Israel concerning the release of hostages in Gaza, extending appreciation for the role played by Egypt.

In a statement on the official website of the U.S. Department of State on Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the United States welcomes the agreement to release 50 hostages, including American citizens, held by Hamas since its attack on Israel on October 7.

"I cannot imagine the ordeal each of these individuals has faced in the past few weeks, and I am grateful that they will soon be reunited with their loved ones," Blinken remarked.

He continued, "This is a result of diligent diplomacy and ongoing efforts across the department and the broader U.S. government... I appreciate the continued leadership and partnership between Egypt and Qatar in this endeavor."

Blinken expressed gratitude to Israel for its support in achieving a humanitarian ceasefire, facilitating the transfer of hostages to a safe location, and allowing additional humanitarian aid to reach Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

Despite acknowledging significant progress, Blinken emphasized that the U.S. would not rest as long as Hamas continues to hold hostages in Gaza. He stated, "Our top priority is the safety and security of Americans abroad, and we will continue our efforts to ensure the swift release and reunification of every hostage with their families."