US President Joe Biden expressed optimism on Wednesday that his vision of an economic corridor linking India, the Middle East, and Europe—first introduced at the G-20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023—could now materialize following the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage deal.
Speaking on the agreement, Biden said, “At G-20 in Delhi in September 2023, I rallied key countries behind a vision of an economic corridor from India across the Middle East to Europe. That vision can now become a reality.”
The ceasefire deal, which was developed under the Biden administration, will largely be executed by the incoming administration led by President-elect Donald Trump. Acknowledging this transition, Biden said, “This deal was developed and negotiated under my administration, but its terms will be implemented for the most part by the next administration. In these past few days, we’ve been speaking as one team.”
The President also commended the relentless efforts of American diplomats, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and Vice President Kamala Harris, in securing the agreement. “Many peacemakers helped make this deal happen, including an extraordinary team of American diplomats who have worked nonstop for months to get this done,” Biden added.
Highlighting the broader implications for the Middle East, Biden emphasized the emerging opportunities for peace and stability, including the prospects of reducing the influence of Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Assad regime in Syria, as well as advancing Palestinian statehood.
“As I prepare to leave office, our friends are strong, our enemies are weak, and there are genuine opportunities for a new future,” Biden said. “In Lebanon, there’s an opportunity for a future free from the grip of Hezbollah; in Syria, a future free from the tyranny of Assad; and for the Palestinian people, a credible pathway to a state of their own.”
The ceasefire agreement includes Hamas’s release of 33 Israeli hostages captured during the October 7, 2023, attacks, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners by Israel. The October 7 attacks had triggered a fierce Israeli military response in Gaza, resulting in catastrophic loss of life.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israeli operations have killed over 46,700 Palestinians and injured more than 110,000 since the attacks began. In Israel, the Hamas-led attacks claimed 1,139 lives, with over 200 individuals taken hostage.
(Inputs from ANI)