Current:Home > ContactVice President Kamala Harris meets with families of hostages held by Hamas -FundPrime
Vice President Kamala Harris meets with families of hostages held by Hamas
View
Date:2025-04-13 21:43:29
Washington — Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday met with families of the hostages believed to be held by Hamas, updating the families after CIA Director William Burns participated in hostage talks in Cairo over the weekend.
Five Americans remain unaccounted for and are believed to have been taken hostage by Hamas during the attacks, after Israel announced last month that Itay Chen, a 19-year-old Israeli soldier with dual Israeli-U.S. nationality, was confirmed dead. National security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters that while Burns was in Cairo, there was a "marathon" session late into the night with the U.S., Israel, Qatar and Egypt, with Qatar and Egypt communicating with Hamas.
Sullivan said that although public statements by Hamas have been "less than encouraging," the parties are waiting to secure an answer from Hamas about a hostage proposal.
The administration has made it clear that it will continue to work for the release of all hostages and an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas six months after the militant group's attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting with Harris, Jonathan Dekel-Chen, father of hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen, said he came to encourage all sides to make a deal.
"There is a deal on the table that all of the parties agree to," Dekel-Chen said, noting they are still waiting for Hamas to respond.
Rachel Goldberg-Polin, whose 23-year-old son, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, is being held by Hamas, called the meeting with Harris "productive" and said the family members "want results."
Goldberg-Polin said Sunday on "Face the Nation" that it's a "failure" of global leaders and governments involved in hostage negotiations that her son and more than 130 others have been held in captivity for six months.
The White House says Harris "underscored that President Biden and she have no higher priority than reuniting the hostages with their loved ones" and "reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to bring home the remains of those who have been tragically confirmed to be deceased." She also updated them on U.S. efforts to secure the release of all hostages and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
The vice president also met with the families in late October. The families of the hostages met with Sullivan on Monday.
Israeli officials said that around 240 people were believed to have been taken hostage amid the Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7. Six months later, less than half of those captured have been returned. Parties gathered in Cairo over the weekend to restart negotiations to release the remaining hostages being held by Hamas.
- Israel to open 3 aid corridors following Biden's call with Netanyahu
U.S. and Qatari-led hostage diplomacy began in October, when two dual U.S.-Israeli hostages — a Chicago teenager and her mother — were released. Then, during a weeklong pause in fighting in November, more than 100 hostages were released, including two U.S. citizens, one of whom was only four years old. And in late December, the final American woman believed to be among the hostages, Judi Weinstein Haggai, was confirmed by Israel to have died.
Kaia HubbardKaia Hubbard is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital based in Washington, D.C.
TwitterveryGood! (98697)
Related
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Ford and Mercedes-Benz among nearly 250,000 vehicles recalled: Check car recalls here
- Kate Spade 24-Hour Flash Deal: Get This $400 Shoulder Bag for Just $112
- Ja'Marr Chase Always Open merch available on 7-Eleven website; pendant is sold out
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- Brussels shooter who killed 2 soccer fans in 'act of terrorism' shot dead by police
- Ford and Mercedes-Benz among nearly 250,000 vehicles recalled: Check car recalls here
- 'Love is Blind' Season 5 reunion spoilers: Who's together, who tried again after the pods
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
- Girl Scout troop treasurer arrested for stealing over $12,000: Police
Ranking
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- Police search for suspected extremist accused of killing 2 Swedish soccer fans on a Brussels street
- New Yorkers claimed $1 million prizes from past Powerball, Mega Millions drawings
- Retail sales rise solid 0.7% in September, reflecting US shoppers’ resilience despite higher prices
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- For the first time, Ukraine has used US-provided long-range ATACMS missiles against Russian forces
- Defeated New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins will remain leader of his Labour Party
- President Biden condemns killing of 6-year-old Muslim boy as suspect faces federal hate crime investigation
Recommendation
Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
Natalee Holloway Case: Suspect Expected to Share Details of Her Death 18 Years After Disappearance
Israel-Hamas war means one less overseas option for WNBA players with Russia already out
As Drought Grips the Southwest, Water Utilities Find the Hunt For More Workers Challenging
The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
North Dakota Gov. Burgum calls special session to fix budget bill struck down by court
Stock market today: World shares gain on back of Wall Street rally as war shock to markets fades
Girl Scout troop treasurer arrested for stealing over $12,000: Police