US President Biden says chances of extending truce are ‘real’

US President Joe Biden said he doesn’t trust Hamas but added that the current swap of prisoners is still only the start.

He said he expected more to be released in the coming days and the second wave of releases would happen in the coming hours, adding that the pause in fighting was a “critical” opportunity to get aid into Gaza.

There are two American women and a child that are still missing, according to the president.

Biden said a reason behind the Hamas-led 7 October attack was the US working with Saudi Arabia and Israel on the normalisation of ties.

The US president said he has no idea how long the war will last but urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to minimise civilian casualties.