President Joe Biden on Wednesday held his first in-person meeting with families of some of the eight Americans still unaccounted for and presumed taken captive by Hamas during its deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel, reassuring the families that his administration was committed to reuniting them with their loved ones.
Quick Read
- First In-Person Meeting: President Joe Biden held his first face-to-face meeting with families of the eight Americans presumed captured by Hamas during its attack on Israel on October 7.
- Family Members’ Response: Families expressed strong support for President Biden, with Jonathan Dekel-Chen, whose son is believed to be held by Hamas, stating they couldn’t have a better friend in the White House.
- High-Level Attendance: Secretary of State Antony Blinken and principal deputy national security adviser Jon Finer joined the meeting. Thirteen family members were present, and three participated by phone.
- Biden’s Previous Engagements: This meeting follows Biden’s earlier virtual and telephonic interactions with some of these families.
- Administration’s Commitment: The administration emphasized its commitment to securing the hostages’ release, though specific details of U.S. efforts were not disclosed.
- Jake Sullivan’s Planned Visit: The meeting precedes national security adviser Jake Sullivan’s scheduled visit to Israel for talks with Israeli leadership.
- Context of Captivity: The eight Americans went missing following Hamas’ incursion into Israel, where approximately 1,200 Israelis were killed, and over 240 hostages were taken.
- American Casualties: At least 31 Americans were reportedly killed by Hamas and other militant groups during the October 7 attack.
- Released American Child: Liz Naftali, great aunt of 4-year-old Abigail Edan, who was released from Hamas captivity, attended the meeting. Abigail was taken after her parents were killed but was released during a temporary cease-fire.
- Pope Francis’ Call for Ceasefire: Pope Francis renewed his call for a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza and the return of hostages.
- Hope for a “Christmas Miracle”: The families expressed hope for a resolution, especially with the approaching Christmas holiday.
- Previous Releases: Four Americans were released as part of a U.S.-negotiated cease-fire, brokered with Qatar and Egypt’s help.
- Unreleased American Hostage: One American woman, expected to be released under the terms of the recent cease-fire, remains unaccounted for, contributing to the pause in fighting ending.
- Ongoing Efforts: The families acknowledge the continuous efforts by U.S. officials to ensure the safe return of their loved ones.
The Associated Press has the story:
Families of American hostages in Gaza: Biden reaffirms commitment to freeing their loved ones
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP)
President Joe Biden on Wednesday held his first in-person meeting with families of some of the eight Americans still unaccounted for and presumed taken captive by Hamas during its deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel, reassuring the families that his administration was committed to reuniting them with their loved ones.
“We felt before and we’re only reinforced in seeing and believing that we could have no better friend in Washington or in the White House than President Biden himself and his administration,” said Jonathan Dekel-Chen, whose son Sagui is among the Americans believed to be held by Hamas.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and principal deputy national security adviser Jon Finer joined Biden for the meeting. Thirteen of the family members attended in person, while three others joined the conversation with the president and his advisers by phone, according to the White House.
The Democratic president has previously met with some family members virtually and spoken to others on the phone.
Dekel-Chen declined to offer information on what, if any, details Biden and other administration officials offered the group about U.S. efforts to win their loved ones’ release. He said, however, that the administration made clear that it “is completely committed to getting the hostages out.”
Biden’s meeting with the families came as his national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, was to head to Israel on Thursday to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, members of his war cabinet, and Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
The eight Americans remain unaccounted for after Hamas’ surprise air, sea and land incursion into Israeli towns, where the group killed about 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, and took more than 240 people hostage. The White House has said that at least 31 Americans were killed by Hamas and other militant groups on Oct. 7.
Liz Naftali, the great aunt of 4-year-old Abigail Edan, who was released late last month after spending weeks in Hamas captivity, took part in the White House meeting and said the families are hoping for a “Christmas miracle.” The child, who was taken hostage after her parents were killed, was released during last month’s temporary cease-fire to facilitate the swapping of hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
The meeting came as Pope Francis on Wednesday renewed his call for a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza and for the return of hostages taken by Hamas.
“As we come to the Christmas holiday, I hope that the pope continues to speak and others around the world not only pray, but pray for us, pray for our families, pray for our leaders, pray for the president,” said Naftali.
Four Americans were released as part of a U.S.-negotiated cease-fire in Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza that was brokered with the assistance of Qatar and Egypt.
One American woman was supposed to be released by Hamas under the terms of last month’s cease-fire, but she remains unaccounted for — a development that contributed to the end of the temporary pause in the fighting.
“We know that they are working 24 hours a day, and they are going to work through the holidays and they are going to do everything they can to make sure that all of our loved ones—real people—come home to us and to the families across the world and Israel,” Naftali said.
