Just released this photo on x, formerly known as twitter, Showing Natalie and judith on that call with biden. Mr biden also released a statement after their release was secured saying, i am overjoyed that they will soon be reunited with their family, who has been wracked with fear. From the earliest moments of this attack, we have been working around the clock to free american citizens who were taken hostage by hamas, and we have not ceased our efforts to secure the release of those who are still being held. Earlier, us Secretary Of State Anthony Blinken said the us is relieved about the hostage release. Our correspondent Barbara Plett usher has more. The release of the hostages disrupted the day here at the state department. We were sitting down for the Daily Briefing and then we were told that it would be delayed for two hours because of Breaking News. Now, they didnt say what the Breaking News was, but we knew what it was. And so when we returned to the briefing room, there was anot
Were in israel visiting family. Hamas said the pair were freed for humanitarian reasons. The white house says that President Biden has spoken to the released us hostages and theirfamily by phone. In a Statement Issued shortly after their release was secured, President Biden said. Us Secretary Of State Antony Blinken has said he was relieved the women had been released but reminded that many others are still being held. Theres still ten additional americans who remain unaccounted for in this conflict. We know that some of them are being held hostage by hamas, along with an estimated 200 other hostages held in gaza. They include men, women, young boys, young girls, elderly people, from many nations. Every single one of them should be released. Our correspondent Barbara Plett usher brings us more from inside the halls of the State Department. The release of the hostages disrupted the day here at the State Department. We were sitting down for the daily briefing, and then we were told that
Thank you very much, stephen. Its a pleasure to have you on the show. As Minister Of Defence in canada, how embarrassed are you that your country is still significantly failing to meet the collective commitment of nato Member States to spend at least 2 of your gdp on defence . Stephen, im not embarrassed at all because canada, under our government, has been investing very significantly in defence and theres been a very strong upper projectory of Defence Spending. Weve just introduced our latest Defence Policy, which injects a significant amount of new investment into Defence Spending. It builds up greater capabilities, it moves us much closer to the target of 2 , and with some of the other things that weve articulated in this Defence Policy, i think we are on a strong and inevitable path to achieving that 2 goal. Canada is well aware of its responsibilities to our nato allies, to our continental allies, through norad in the United States, and even around the world, and, as well, we are
Bill blair in ottawa, welcome to hardtalk. Thank you very much, stephen. Its a pleasure to have you on the show. As Minister Of Defence in canada, how embarrassed are you that your country is still significantly failing to meet the collective commitment of nato Member States to spend at least 2 of your gdp on defence . Stephen, im not embarrassed at all because canada, under our government, has been investing very significantly in defence and theres been a very strong upper projectory of Defence Spending. Weve just introduced our latest Defence Policy, which injects a significant amount of new investment into Defence Spending. It builds up greater capabilities, it moves us much closer to the target of 2 , and with some of the other things that weve articulated in this Defence Policy, i think we are on a strong and inevitable path to achieving that 2 goal. Canada is well aware of its responsibilities to our nato allies, to our continental allies, through norad in the United States, and
Bill blair in ottawa, welcome to hardtalk. To hardtalk. Thank you very much. To hardtalk. Thank you very much it to hardtalk. Thank you very much it is to hardtalk. Thank you very much. It is a to hardtalk. Thank you very much. It is a pleasure to hardtalk. Thank you very much. It is a pleasure to to hardtalk. Thank you very l much. It is a pleasure to have ou on much. It is a pleasure to have you on the much. It is a pleasure to have you on the show. Much. It is a pleasure to have you on the show. As minister| much. It is a pleasure to have l you on the show. As Minister Of Defence in canada, how embarrassed are you that your country is still significantly failing to meet the collective commitment of nato Member States to spend at least 2 of your gdp on defence . I states to spend at least 296 of your gdp on defence . States to spend at least 296 of your gdp on defence . I am not embarrassed your gdp on defence . I am not embarrassed at your gdp on defence . I am not embarrassed at al