Ceasefire Begins in Gaza, Hostages Released

On his final day in office, President Joe Biden celebrated the commencement of a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, stating, 'Today, the guns in Gaza have gone silent.' He claimed credit for the ceasefire agreement, which he first proposed in May, highlighting the release of three Israeli women after 470 days of captivity. Biden acknowledged the pressures faced from critics of his Middle East policy, defending his strategy of supporting Israel while pursuing diplomatic solutions. He emphasized the importance of avoiding a wider conflict in the region and noted the anticipated release of more hostages in the coming weeks. The president framed the ceasefire as a significant step toward a lasting peace, which will now be the responsibility of the incoming administration to implement. Biden concluded his remarks with a visit to honor Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy in South Carolina.