From the Liveblog of
Monday, September 2, 2024
Next few days critical in push to free remaining hostages, Biden aide tells families of US captives
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
The families of the seven remaining American Gaza hostages held a virtual meeting earlier today with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and White House Mideast czar Brett McGurk.
“Sullivan told the families that the next few days will be critical in the push to free the remaining 101 hostages,” the American hostage families say in a joint statement.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is heartbroken by this senseless and cruel act by Hamas, he said. Mr. Sullivan also echoed what President Biden said in his statement, that the administration will work around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages,” the statement continues.
The families told the top Biden aides “that all parties must unite on the demand that Prime Minister Netanyahu close the deal with Hamas and bring the hostages home.”
The call is held against the backdrop of the IDF’s recovery of the bodies of slain American hostage Hersh-Goldberg-Polin and five other captives.
Sullivan agreed to hold a follow-up meeting with the American families later this week.
