Blinken: 10 Americans remain unaccounted for; we’re working for their release

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken welcomes the release of two American hostages from Gaza.

“We share in the relief that their families, friends and loved ones are feeling,” he says in a statement to the press. “But there are still 10 additional Americans who remain unaccounted for in this conflict. We know that some of them are being held hostage by Hamas, along with an estimated 200 other hostages held in Gaza.”

“They include men women, young boys, young girls, elderly people from many nations. Every single one of them should be released,” Blinken states.

“Since the earliest hours of this crisis, the president has made clear that he will do everything possible to secure the release of every hostage. During my own recent travels in the region, I emphasized the urgency and importance of this is to the United States and pressed our partners to do everything they can to help us secure their release,” he says.

“I can’t speak publicly about the details of these efforts. I know you understand that, but the urgent work to free every single American, to free all their hostages continues, as is our work to secure the safe passage out of Gaza for the Americans who are trapped there,” Blinken asserts.