Recently, families of Americans believed to be held hostage by Hamas in Gaza had a conversation with two senior White House officials. The call involved senior White House adviser Amos Hochstein and White House Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk. This communication took place just a day before the anniversary of the October 7th terror attack against Israel.
US President Joe Biden, in a statement on Monday morning, reiterated his plea for a ceasefire deal that would lead to the release of the hostages. Despite the limited progress in recent weeks, President Biden expressed his unwavering commitment to bringing all remaining hostages home safely. He highlighted the efforts of his Administration in negotiating the safe release of over 100 hostages, including Americans.
President Biden emphasized the importance of achieving a ceasefire deal in Gaza that not only secures the release of hostages but also facilitates increased humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering in the region. He stressed the need for ensuring Israel's security and putting an end to the ongoing conflict for the benefit of both Israelis and Palestinians.
While President Biden had indicated his intention to speak with the hostage families, it remains uncertain whether these conversations took place on the specified day. The White House refrained from providing immediate comments regarding the call between the hostage families and the officials on Sunday.
