President Joe Biden on Wednesday will hold his first in-person meeting with the families of Americans taken hostage by Hamas during its brutal attack on Israel on Oct. 7, two White House officials said.
Quick Read
- First In-Person Meeting: President Biden is set to have his first in-person meeting with the families of Americans taken hostage by Hamas during its attack on Israel on October 7.
- Details on Meeting Participants: The exact number of families attending the meeting at the White House, either in person or via videoconference, is not specified. Biden has previously engaged with some of these families virtually and through phone calls.
- Biden’s Commitment: During a recent event, Biden emphasized the United States’ unwavering commitment to Israel and its determination to bring every American hostage back home.
- Casualties and Hostages: In the Hamas incursion into Israeli towns, about 1,200 Israelis, predominantly civilians, were killed, and more than 240 people were taken hostage, including seven Americans who remain unaccounted for.
- Release of American Hostages: Following a U.S.-negotiated ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, brokered with the help of Qatar and Egypt, four American hostages were released.
- American Fatalities: The White House reported that at least 31 Americans were killed by Hamas and other militant groups on October 7.
- Media Reporting: The meeting was initially reported by NBC News.
The Associated Press has the story:
Biden will meet families of Americans taken hostage by Hamas at WH on Wed.
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP)
President Joe Biden on Wednesday will hold his first in-person meeting with the families of Americans taken hostage by Hamas during its brutal attack on Israel on Oct. 7, two White House officials said.
It was not immediately clear how many families would be attending the White House meeting in person, or via videoconference. Biden has previously met with some family members virtually and spoken to others on the phone, officials said. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss Biden’s schedule.
“We’re not going to stop until every hostage is returned home,” Biden told donors in Washington on Tuesday, saying the U.S. commitment to Israel is “unshakable.”
Seven 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. 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. The White House has said that at least 31 Americans were killed by Hamas and other militant groups on Oct. 7.
NBC News was first to report on the meeting.
