Austin announces military package to Ukraine; Biden confirms hostage deal is near
This aid package, which will be provided through the Presidential Drawdown Authority and comes from existing U.S. stockpiles, includes Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, one High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, and additional ammunition (155mm and 105mm artillery rounds), among other weapons and gear.
President Joe Biden said on Monday he believes a deal to free hostages being held by the Hamas militant group in Gaza is near — although specifics remain unclear. Speaking to a reporter at the White House’s annual turkey-pardoning event, Biden was asked if the United States is close to securing the release of hostages taken by Hamas in the Gaza Strip as discussions with Israeli officials are in the works.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre repeatedly defended President Joe Biden on Monday in the face of mounting concern that he’s too old to do the job. Biden turned 81 on Monday, and numerous polls show that most people have reservations about his age and that of former President Donald Trump, Biden’s likely Republican opponent in the 2024 general election.
