President Biden will meet with family members of American hostages held by Hamas at the White House Wednesday, an administration official confirmed to The Post.
The meeting will mark the first known meeting between the commander-in-chief and families whose relatives were kidnapped by the terrorist group during the October 7 attack on Israel.
Biden has spoken with several hostage family members via Zoom and other White House officials — notably national security adviser Jake Sullivan — have reached out to them as well.
Several families had requested admission to a Hanukkah celebration at the White House on Monday night, but were not invited, CNN reported.
During the event, which was attended by more than 800 guests including Holocaust survivors, Biden addressed the hostage situation, vowing to do everything to “bring every one of them home.”
There are believed to be eight American citizens or legal permanent residents still being held by jihadist groups in the Gaza Strip. Four others — three women and 4-year-old Abigail Edan — have been released since mid-October.
President Joe Biden hugs Evyatar Edri’s mother Rachel Edri, who was taken hostage by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas. AFP via Getty Images
“There are a lot of things going on right now that are really, really difficult,” Biden emphasized on Monday. “We have removed more than 100 hostages and we will not stop until we bring them home.”
Israel and Hamas agreed to a week-long ceasefire in fighting late last month to allow the release of dozens of hostages, only for fighting to resume with Palestinian terror attacks on December 1.
The families of the US hostages have been in Washington, DC all week to urge the US and Israeli governments to take any steps possible to secure the release of their relatives.
Members of the Red Cross received Israeli and foreign prisoners from Hamas’ military wing Al-Qassam last month. Hamas Press Service/UPI/Shutterstock Footage from an Israeli soldier appears to show Hersh Goldberg-Polin being put into a truck by Hamas terrorists. CNN President Biden met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in October. Reuters
Since the outbreak of war, Biden has reaffirmed US support for Israel and has urged Congress to muster more aid to the Jewish state.
Biden reiterated his commitment Monday night to “continue to provide military aid to Israel until they get rid of Hamas.”
However, the president also warned the Netanyahu government that “they should be careful.”
“Public opinion around the world can change overnight,” Biden added. “We can’t let that happen.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
