U.S. President Joe Biden holds a bilateral meeting with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., January 31, 2022.
"The two leaders agreed that all hostages must be released without further delay," the statement said.
Hamas fighters surged across the border from Gaza into Israel on Oct.7, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 200 hostages, according to Israeli officials.
Reuters last week reported that Qatar, where several political leaders of Hamas are based, has been leading mediation efforts between Hamas and Israeli officials over the hostages.
Washington has rejected calls from Arab leaders and others for it to insist that Israel halt its assault on the Hamas-controlled Gaza strip.
Persons:
Joe Biden, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, Leah Millis, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al, Biden, Jake Sullivan, CNN's, Sullivan, Brett McGurk, Biden's, Benjamin Netanyahu, Al Thani, Washington, Andrea Shalal, Ahmed Tolba, Steve Holland, Hugh Lawson, Noeleen Walder, Diane Craft
Organizations:
White, REUTERS, Rights, Hamas, Reuters, CNN, U.S, East, Israel, Israeli, Biden, Thomson
Locations:
Thani, Washington , U.S, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Gaza, Israel, Qatar, Egypt, United States, Brussels, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Rafah