US and 16 other countries with hostages in Gaza call for their release in exchange for a ceasefire

WASHINGTON (JTA) — The Biden administration released a call from the leaders of 17 countries with citizens held hostage in Gaza calling for their immediate release in exchange for “an immediate and prolonged ceasefire” that would lead to the “end of hostilities.”

Israel, which has the most citizens among the more than 130 hostages still held in Gaza, is not among the participants in the joint call. While the statement hews to conditions Israel has accepted for a hostage deal in the short term, it does not refer to Israel’s other goal in the war, which is to…