Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Friday, March 22, 2024
From the Liveblog of
Friday, March 22, 2024
Blinken meets with families of US-Israeli hostages held in Gaza
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets demonstrators calling for the release of hostages held by Hamas, outside the Kempinski hotel in Tel Aviv, March 22, 2024. (Evelyn Hockstein/Pool Photo via AP)
The Hostage and Missing Families Forum says in a statement that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a private meeting with the families of US-Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
The meeting comes after the top US envoy met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the war cabinet.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to Secretary Blinken and the Biden administration for their continuing support and assistance,” the families say in a statement.
“We urgently call on all parties to apply maximum pressure to secure a deal for the prompt and safe release of our loved ones. Each passing day is an eternity of torment for our families. We implore the international community to leave no stone unturned,” the statement concludes.
