As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses Congress, families of U.S. citizens held hostage by Hamas in Gaza express hope for their release through a cease-fire agreement.
In the midst of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's scheduled address to Congress, families of American hostages held captive by Hamas in Gaza for 292 days fervently hope he will announce a cease-fire deal to secure their release.
Netanyahu's office has stated that Israel will resume negotiations this week to finalize a deal with Hamas, the U.S.-designated terror group, exchanging hostages for a cease-fire in the nine-month war.
Hamas Hostages: American Families Plead for Ceasefire Deal
Eight U.S. citizens have been detained by Hamas since October 7, when hundreds of elite Nukhba terrorists infiltrated southern Israel, targeting army bases, civilian communities, and a music festival near the border. Over 1,200 people, primarily civilians, were killed, and approximately 250 individuals were taken captive.
The hostages include Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Sagui Dekel Chen, Keith Siegel, Eden Alexander, and Omer Neutra. Last November, a weeklong cease-fire facilitated the release of over 100 hostages, but around 120 remain in captivity.
Hamas Hostages: American Families Plead for Ceasefire Deal
While Hamas released footage of Goldberg-Polin, revealing his arm had been blown off during the attack, and Siegel, sparking hope of their survival, the fate of Judy Weinstein, Gad Haggai, and Itay Chen remains unknown, as they are believed to have been murdered in captivity. The Israeli military has confirmed the deaths of 44 additional hostages.
Last week at the Republican National Convention, Omer Neutra's parents implored U.S. and Israeli leaders to prioritize the hostages' release. They emphasized that 45 of the 1,200 victims of the Hamas attack were Americans.
Hamas Hostages: American Families Plead for Ceasefire Deal
Upon arriving in Washington, Netanyahu agreed to meet with representatives of the eight families. They urged him to expedite the negotiation process and address the hostages' plight in his address to Congress.
The families expressed their expectation that Netanyahu would finalize the deal during his trip, deeming anything less a failure.
Hamas Hostages: American Families Plead for Ceasefire Deal
Meanwhile, U.S. officials, including National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk, have indicated the existence of a viable deal, contingent upon "political determination and cooperation."
Netanyahu, who will also meet with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former President Donald Trump, expressed optimism for a resolution during a meeting with hostage relatives from Israel. He asserted his commitment to securing their release, highlighting the mounting pressure on Hamas.
Hamas Hostages: American Families Plead for Ceasefire Deal
Addressing Congress, Netanyahu said, "I will have the opportunity to bring before the representatives of the American people, and the American people themselves, the importance of their support for our efforts, with them, to bring about the release of all of the hostages, the living and the deceased."
