update deskU.S.-Israel Relations

Biden talks to some family members of 14 Americans missing in Israel

The U.S. president told those on the call that the government is doing all it can to bring their relatives home.

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks on the phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on May 12, 2021, in the Oval Office of the White House. Credit: Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz.
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks on the phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on May 12, 2021, in the Oval Office of the White House. Credit: Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz.

U.S. President Joe Biden spoke on the phone on Friday with family members of 14 missing Americans, according to the White House pool report. 

Some of the 14 are presumed to be held hostages in the Gaza Strip after Hamas terrorists attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,300 people and wounding thousands. As many as 150 civilians were reportedly taken hostage to Hamas-run Gaza.

Jake Sullivan, the U.S. national security advisor, and Roger Carstens, U.S. special envoy for hostage affairs, were among other officials on the call.

“By ‘unaccounted for,’ we mean that. We don’t know where they are,” John Kirby, strategic communications coordinator at the National Security Council, told reporters in an Oct. 12 briefing.

Kirby told reporters on Friday that “a couple” of the family members of the 14 were on the call, per media reports. The spokesman “conveyed directly to these families that they have been in his prayers and reaffirmed for them that the United States government is doing everything possible” to bring their relatives home.

“Several of the family members shared information about their loved one’s personal stories and experiences that they have gone through as they endure the unimaginable,” he added, per reports.

You have read 3 articles this month.
Register to receive full access to JNS.

Just before you scroll on...

Israel is at war. JNS is combating the stream of misinformation on Israel with real, honest and factual reporting. In order to deliver this in-depth, unbiased coverage of Israel and the Jewish world, we rely on readers like you. The support you provide allows our journalists to deliver the truth, free from bias and hidden agendas. Can we count on your support? Every contribution, big or small, helps JNS.org remain a trusted source of news you can rely on.

Become a part of our mission by donating today
Topics
Comments
Thank you. You are a loyal JNS Reader.
You have read more than 10 articles this month.
Please register for full access to continue reading and post comments.
Never miss a thing
Get the best stories faster with JNS breaking news updates