President Biden will meet face-to-face with family members of American hostages held by Hamas at the White House on Wednesday, an administration official confirmed to The Post.
The meeting will mark the first known in-person meeting between the commander in chief and families whose relatives were kidnapped by the terrorist group during its Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
Biden has spoken to some of the hostages’ relatives via Zoom and other White House officials, notably national security adviser Jake Sullivan, have also been in contact with them.
Several of the families had requested admission to the White House Hanukkah reception on Monday night, but were not invited, CNN reported.
During the event, attended by more than 800 guests, including Holocaust survivors, Biden addressed the hostage situation and promised to do everything possible to “bring every one of them home.”
Eight American citizens or legal permanent residents are believed to remain captives of jihadists in the Gaza Strip. Four more – three women and 4-year-old Abigail Edan – have been released since mid-October.
President Joe Biden hugs the mother of Evyatar Edri, Rachel Edri, who was held hostage by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas. AFP via Getty Images
“There are a whole series of things happening now that are really, really difficult,” Biden emphasized Monday. “We have taken more than 100 hostages and we are not going to stop until we all get home.”
Israel and Hamas agreed to a week-long pause in fighting late last month to allow the release of dozens of hostages, only for the battle to resume with Palestinian terrorist attacks on December 1.
The families of the American hostages have been in Washington, DC all week to pressure the US and Israeli governments to take all possible steps 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 affirmed US support for Israel and pressed Congress to request more aid from the Jewish state.
Biden reiterated his commitment Monday night to “continue providing military assistance to Israel until it gets rid of Hamas.”
However, the president also warned Netanyahu’s government that “they have to be careful.”
“Global public opinion can change overnight,” Biden added. “We can’t let that happen.”
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Source: vtt.edu.vn