Watch: Biden abruptly ends press meet saying he was heading to ‘situation room’

US President Joe Biden on Monday (Oct 24) triggered a wave of speculations on social media after ending a rare White House press meet as he told reporters that he was heading to the “situation room.”

He said he had “another issue to deal with”.

It came on the heels of the news from Gaza that Hamas had agreed to release two more hostages.

The reason for his departure was not confirmed by the White House, but it is speculated that it was triggered by reports of increasing hostility of Iran-backed militias in the West Asian region against US forces.

Tensions in Gaza have also escalated, with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) incessantly pounding Gaza and Hamas reporting at least 150 casualties in overnight Israeli raids.

“I apologise, I have to go to the Situation Room for another issue I have to deal with,” Biden told reporters.

Earlier, during his address, Biden made it clear that Hamas should release hostages before it expects any ceasefire from the Jewish nation.

Two hostages released

The International Committee of the Red Cross on Monday evening confirmed the release of further two hostages by Hamas—85-year-old Yocheved Lifshitz and 79-year-old Nurit Cooper.

Earlier on Friday (Oct 20), the terrorist group released the first two hostages. They are believed to have taken at least 220 people hostage, including foreigners and dual nationals.

Since the Oct 7 assault by Hamas on Israel, at least 1,400 Israelis have lost their lives. The death toll in Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) has reached 5,100 meanwhile.

Watch:US: Why did President Joe Biden end press conference abruptly?

Biden said he was “overjoyed” by the release of the first two hostages by Hamas.

“Our fellow citizens have endured a terrible ordeal these past 14 days, and I am overjoyed that they will soon be reunited with their family, who has been wracked with fear,” he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE