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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Guardian staff and agencies

Israeli ground assault on Gaza looms as Hamas releases first hostages

Seventeen-year-old Natalie Raanan and mother Judith are escorted by Israeli officials after they were released by Hamas after two weeks of captivity in Gaza.
Seventeen-year-old Natalie Raanan and mother Judith are escorted by Israeli officials after they were released by Hamas after two weeks of captivity in Gaza. Photograph: AP

The US has said it will keep working to free all Americans seized by Hamas, against the backdrop of an expected ground assault on Gaza, as the first released hostages were reunited with family and Israeli forces pounded Gaza, where millions of people are still awaiting promised aid deliveries.

Late on Friday, after speaking of his joy at the US hostage release, President Joe Biden appeared to agree with a reporter’s suggestion that Israel should delay any ground invasion of the enclave in order to get more hostages out. About 200 remain in captivity, with 10 Americans still unaccounted for.

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