Households Of American Hostages In Gaza Say Biden Reaffirms Dedication To Releasing Their Liked Ones

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday held his first in-person assembly with households of a number of the eight People nonetheless unaccounted for and presumed taken captive by Hamas throughout its lethal Oct. 7 assault on Israel, reassuring the households that his administration was dedicated to reuniting them with their family members.

“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,” stated Jonathan Dekel-Chen, whose son Sagui is among the many People believed to be held by Hamas.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and principal deputy nationwide safety adviser Jon Finer joined Biden for the assembly. 13 of the members of the family attended in particular person, whereas three others joined the dialog with the president and his advisers by cellphone, in line with the White Home.

The Democratic president has beforehand met with some members of the family just about and spoken to others on the cellphone.

Dekel-Chen declined to supply info on what, if any, particulars Biden and different administration officers supplied the group about U.S. efforts to win their family members’ launch. He stated, nonetheless, that the administration made clear that it “is completely committed to getting the hostages out.”

Biden’s assembly with the households got here as his nationwide safety adviser, Jake Sullivan, was to go to Israel on Thursday to fulfill with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, members of his battle cupboard, and Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

The eight People stay unaccounted for after Hamas’ shock air, sea and land incursion into Israeli cities, the place the group killed about 1,200 Israelis, principally civilians, and took greater than 240 individuals hostage. The White Home has stated that not less than 31 People had been killed by Hamas and different militant teams on Oct. 7.

Liz Naftali, the good aunt of 4-year-old Abigail Edan, who was launched late final month after spending weeks in Hamas captivity, took half within the White Home assembly and stated the households are hoping for a “Christmas miracle.” The kid, who was taken hostage after her dad and mom had been killed, was launched throughout final month’s momentary cease-fire to facilitate the swapping of hostages for Palestinian prisoners.

The assembly got here as Pope Francis on Wednesday renewed his name 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,” stated Naftali.

4 People had been launched as a part of a U.S.-negotiated cease-fire in Israel’s battle in opposition to Hamas in Gaza that was brokered with the help of Qatar and Egypt.

One American lady was presupposed to be launched by Hamas beneath the phrases of final month’s cease-fire, however she stays unaccounted for — a improvement that contributed to the top of the momentary pause within the combating.

“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 stated.