President Biden spoke for more than an hour Friday with the families of 14 missing Americans. Hamas attack on IsraelAccording to the White House and a person familiar with the call.
The president, along with Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Under Secretary of State John Bass, and National Security Council Middle East Coordinator Brett McGuirk, announced the 14 Americans still missing. I met with the family. He said.
“The president directly tells these families that they are in our prayers and that the U.S. government is working hard to find and bring their loved ones home,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters. We reassured them that we are doing everything we can to ensure that they are safe.”
White House and State Department officials attempted to answer questions from the family by phone.
The United States believes that Americans are among the large number of hostages being held by Hamas, which the United States lists as a terrorist organization. Hamas launched attacks on Israel on October 7, resulting in deaths. at least 1,300 people. Israel has retaliated with airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, which health officials say have killed around 1,800 people.
president biden He spoke with CBS News’ Scott Pelley.he said in a 60 Minutes interview before meeting with his family.
“I think they need to know that the president of the United States is deeply, deeply concerned about what happened to them,” Biden said. “We have to tell the world that this is serious. This isn’t even a human act. It’s pure barbarism. And if we find them, we’re going to do everything in our power to bring them home.” is.”
At least 27 Americans were killed in the violence, according to National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.