The first in-person meeting between Hamas hostages' families and U.S. President Joe Biden has been confirmed by the White House.
POTUS is expected to meet with the families of eight American hostages, who are still unaccounted for and presumed to be in the hands of Hamas terrorists.
Supporters of the Fatah and Hamas movements lift group and Palestinian flags as they march in Hebron city in the occupied West Bank on October 11, 2023, to protest the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip. Israel kept up its bombardment of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip on October 11.
A senior White House official said that this critical meeting is scheduled to happen on Wednesday, Dec. 13 (this is still subject to change).
The White House confirmed the first in-person meeting with the families of American hostages after Biden held calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
First In-Person Meeting Between Hamas Hostages' Families and Joe Biden to Happen
CNBC reported that Joe Biden previously called Netanyahu and the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad AI Thani. The recent calls aimed to secure the release of Americans, as well as all the remaining hostages held by the Palestinian militant organization.
Now, the American leader wants to meet with the families of American hostages in person. According to Time Magazine, POTUS already met with some family members of Hamas hostages.
However, he only spoke with them virtually and via phone calls. The upcoming in-person meeting will be quite different since Biden disclosed the updates regarding their efforts to secure the release of American captives.
"We're not going to stop until every hostage is returned home," said Joe Biden to donors, promising that the commitment of the U.S. to Israel will remain "unshakable."
In the recent Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, four American hostages were released as part of the negotiation. This was thanks to the efforts of Israel, and the U.S., as well as the assistance of Egypt and Qatar.
However, eight American captives still remain unaccounted for after the deadly Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7.
Read Also: Hamas Threatens To Kill All Hostages Unless Demands Met; Here Are Its Conditions!
US Playing Major Part in Hamas Hostage Releases
Photographs of some of those taken hostage by Hamas during their recent attacks are seen on October 18, 2023, in Tel Aviv, Israel. As Israel prepares to invade the Gaza Strip in its campaign to vanquish Hamas, the Palestinian militant group launched a deadly attack in southern Israel on October 7th.
The United States' diplomatic efforts in the recent ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas really made a huge difference in releasing hostages.
Over 100 captives were freed, including some Americans who were identified as Natalie Raanan, Judith Raanan, Abigail Eden, and Liat Beinin.
In the upcoming in-person meeting, Biden will talk with the families of the remaining American hostages and promise them that the U.S. government will do everything just to ensure their release.
The U.S. president will also be joined by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as well as Jon Finer, the deputy national security adviser.
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