Biden: Humanitarian Pause In Israel-Hamas War Should Continue As Long As Hostages Are Released

President Biden told reporters that he wants the humanitarian pause in the Israel-Hamas war to continue "as long as prisoners come out."

Transcript

00:00 >> The Press: Mr. President, how is Abigail doing?

00:03 What's her physical condition? Do you have any information?

00:05 >> The President: I haven't gotten that information.

00:07 I just wanted to let you know immediately.

00:09 They were going across into Egypt, as you recall.

00:14 That was the route.

00:16 But an older, non-American, elderly woman is very sick

00:22 and was in need of immediate medical help.

00:25 So they arranged to cross directly into Israel

00:28 to be able to take her to a hospital.

00:30 All I know is that she has been held.

00:32 I don't know -- I haven't seen a photograph.

00:35 I've just been in communication with my team.

00:38 But she is safely ensconced in Israel.

00:40 But there's a lot more work to be done.

00:43 >> The Press: How many days would you like to see the pause

00:44 in the long haul?

00:46 >> The President: I would like to see us move to a point

00:49 where we were able to -- well, let me put it this way.

00:57 I'd like to see the pause go on

00:58 as long as prisoners kept coming out.

01:00 All right. Thank you all so very much.

01:04 I know -- you know, we have to call you --

01:06 I know you say, "What's he calling me

01:09 with only 10 minutes or so of notice?"

01:11 (Laughter.)

01:12 That's the notice I get.

01:14 Because we didn't know --

01:15 I didn't want to be having this press conference

01:17 if they weren't physically --

01:19 even when they were in the Red Cross ambulance,

01:22 I didn't want to do it because they were not out.

01:24 They were -- they were still in Gaza.

01:26 So, I don't thank you enough, but thanks for your patience.

01:30 And I know it's --

01:31 >> Ms. Psaki: We're here anytime, sir.