President Biden and key members of his administration convened at the White House on Wednesday for an undisclosed meeting with families of American hostages currently held by Hamas in Gaza. Following the meeting, family representatives addressed the media, holding photographs of their abducted loved ones, and expressed confidence in the administration’s commitment to securing the release of the hostages.
Jonathan Dekel-Chen, whose 35-year-old son was kidnapped from his kibbutz on October 7, characterized the meeting as positive and described it as a “terrific conversation” with President Biden and other administration officials. Without delving into specifics, Dekel-Chen emphasized the families’ reinforced belief that they have a strong ally in President Biden and his administration.
When questioned about details of the meeting, Dekel-Chen maintained confidentiality but underscored the unwavering commitment of the U.S. administration to bring the hostages home. He affirmed that the families trust the administration’s dedication, drawing on their observations from past negotiations and hostage releases.
Liz Naftali, who shared her experience of her grandniece Abigail’s release in a previous hostage exchange, also spoke to reporters. Naftali conveyed the administration’s assurance that they would work tirelessly, even through the holidays, to secure the release of the remaining hostages. Expressing gratitude, she stated that the families understood the administration’s continuous efforts, working around the clock to bring their loved ones home.
The meeting, which was not publicly announced in advance, included Secretary of State Antony Blinken and principal deputy national security adviser Jon Finer, among others. This marks the second occasion that President Biden engaged with the families collectively, the first being a video call a few days after the October 7 attack in Israel.
Dekel-Chen shared insights into the ongoing communication between the families and the White House, highlighting regular updates received since the October 7 incident. He acknowledged the transparent and frequent contact with administration officials and noted the bipartisan support from members of Congress and the Senate during these challenging times.