Current:Home > ScamsBiden speaks with families of Americans missing in Israel, possibly among hostages held by Hamas -Secure Horizon Growth
Biden speaks with families of Americans missing in Israel, possibly among hostages held by Hamas
View
Date:2025-04-16 03:08:47
President Biden on Friday spoke for over an hour with families of 14 Americans who are missing following Hamas' attack on Israel. At an event in Philadelphia, he spoke about his conversation with them.
"They're going through agony not knowing what the status of their sons, daughters, husbands, wives, children, are," he said. "You know, it's gut-wrenching."
"I assured them of my personal commitment to do everything possible to return every missing American to their families," he continued. "We're working around the clock to secure the release of Americans held by Hamas, in close cooperation with Israel and our partners around the region. We're not going to stop until we bring them home."
The president was joined on the phone call with the families by special envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens, national security adviser Jake Sullivan, Undersecretary of State John Bass, and National Security Council coordinator for the Middle East Brett McGurk, the White House said.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the president told the families they've been in his prayers, and expressed the United States' commitment to doing everything possible to bring their loved ones home.
"We're working round the clock to secure the release of Americans held by Hamas, in close cooperation with Israel and our partners around the region," the president said Friday afternoon during an unrelated speech in Philadelphia. "We're not going to stop until we bring them home."
White House and State Department officials tried to answer questions from families on the call.
The U.S. believes Americans are among the scores of hostages being held by Hamas, which the U.S. has designated as a terrorist group. Hamas launched an attack on Israel on Oct. 7 that has killed at least 1,300 people. Israel has retaliated with airstrikes on the Gaza Strip that have killed at least 1,900 people and wounded over 7,600, according to health officials.
President Biden spoke with CBS News' Scott Pelley, in an interview for 60 Minutes, before his meeting with the families.
"I think they have to know that the president of the United States of America cares deeply about what's happened to them — deeply," Mr. Biden said. "We have to communicate to the world this is critical. This is not even human behavior. It's pure barbarism. And we're going to do everything in our power to get them home if we can find them."
According to National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, at least 27 Americans have been killed in the latest violence.
- In:
- Hamas
- Israel
- Joe Biden
Kathryn Watson is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital based in Washington, D.C.
veryGood! (3)
Related
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- Some leading robot makers are pledging not to weaponize them
- Gina Rodriguez Gives Birth, Welcomes First Baby With Joe LoCicero
- See Prince Louis waving, yawning during King Charles' coronation before retiring
- Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
- The Wire Star Lance Reddick Dead at 60
- King Charles, William and Kate surprise coronation well-wishers outside of Buckingham Palace
- Tyga Buys Massive $80,000 Gift for Avril Lavigne Amid Budding Romance
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- Goofy dances and instant noodles made this Japanese executive a TikTok star
Ranking
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- On World Press Freedom Day, U.N. reveals unbelievable trends in deadly attacks against journalists
- Lofi Girl disappeared from YouTube and reignited debate over bogus copyright claims
- How to know when you spend too much time online and need to log off
- Intellectuals vs. The Internet
- Why Women Everywhere Love Kim Kardashian's SKIMS
- Fire Up the Grill, a Good Burger Sequel With Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell Is Actually Happening
- 8 killed in Serbia's second mass shooting in 2 days, prompting president to vow massive crackdown on guns
Recommendation
DeepSeek: Did a little known Chinese startup cause a 'Sputnik moment' for AI?
Why Biden's plan to boost semiconductor chip manufacturing in the U.S. is so critical
Eric André Describes His Suburban and Boring Life You Don't See in the Headlines
Here's what Elon Musk will likely do with Twitter if he buys it
US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
Professional landscapers are reluctant to plug into electric mowers due to cost
Devastated Andrew Lloyd Webber Shares Son Nick Is Critically Ill Amid Cancer Battle
Some leading robot makers are pledging not to weaponize them