In a joint statement, the leaders of the US and 17 other countries, including Britain and France, called on Hamas to release the scores of hostages it is holding. “We call for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza for over 200 days. They include our own citizens. The fate of the hostages and the civilian population in Gaza, who are protected under international law, is of international concern,” the countries said in the joint statement, which was issued by the White House on Thursday.
