U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met on Friday in Washington with families of hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza, reaffirming the Trump administration’s commitment to securing their release.
Among those in attendance were Moshe Lavi, brother-in-law of hostage Omri Miran; Ilay David, brother of hostage Evyatar David; and Tzur Goldin, brother of Lt. Hadar Goldin, whose body has been held by Hamas since the 2014 war (“Operation Protective Edge”). Recently released hostage Iair Horn also participated, representing his brother Eitan Horn, who remains in captivity.
According to a statement from the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, Rubio pledged the administration’s “unwavering commitment” to securing the release of all 50 remaining captives. He emphasized America’s leadership in past Middle East initiatives and said that, following Israel’s recent operations in Iran and Lebanon, it remains capable of defeating Hamas.
“True victory in Gaza will only be realized when all the hostages return home,” Rubio said.
The families urged President Donald Trump to act decisively, calling the current moment a “critical window of opportunity” for a comprehensive deal.
“We’ve waited long enough,” they said. “It’s time to make brave decisions and bring all our loved ones back.”
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Friday that mediators are working with Israel and Hamas to build on the momentum from this week’s ceasefire with Iran and push for a truce in Gaza.
“If we don’t utilize this window of opportunity and this momentum, it’s an opportunity lost—amongst many in the near past,” Majed al-Ansari told AFP. “We don’t want to see that again.”
Trump suggested on Friday that a ceasefire-for-hostages agreement could be forged “within the next week.”
“I think it’s close,” the president told reporters in the Oval Office.