The families of American-Israeli hostages in Gaza met with US National Security adviser Jake Sullivan on Monday in Washington to press for their immediate release, as reported by the Hostages Families Forum Headquarters.
The forum revealed that at least eight American-Israelis were taken hostage by Hamas, with five of them still believed to be held alive in Gaza. Tragically, 19-year-old Itay Chen was confirmed dead by the Israel Defense Forces last month.
During the meeting, the families expressed their fears to Sullivan that their loved ones could be the next victims if negotiations continue to stall. They emphasized the urgency of bringing all hostages, both living and deceased, back home without delay.
While the National Security Council has not issued a statement regarding the meeting, Sullivan reportedly assured the attendees that the Biden administration is actively working to advance a deal agreed upon by the US, Israel, Qatar, and Egypt. CIA Director Bill Burns recently visited Cairo to present a new proposal aimed at facilitating a resolution between Israel and Hamas and bridging the existing divide.
Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to meet with the families later today, marking the second such meeting since the deadly attack by Hamas on Israel in October last year. The meeting has been designated as closed to the press, according to an advisory from her office.
