Harris meets with families of Americans held hostage by Hamas

Vice President Harris on Tuesday met with family members of Americans still being held hostage by Hamas as the administration pushes for a cease-fire in Gaza that would lead to their release.

Harris, in the meeting at the White House, “underscored that President Biden and she have no higher priority than reuniting the hostages with their loved ones,” the White House said in a readout of the meeting.

“She also reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to bring home the remains of those who have been tragically confirmed to be deceased,” the White House said.

Harris condemned Hamas and reaffirmed the threat the group poses to Israel, the White House said, and she expressed her support for the families of the hostages.

“The Vice President told them that they and their loved ones remain at the forefront of her mind and in her prayers as the Biden-Harris Administration works to secure the release of all the hostages,” the White House said. “The Vice President provided an update on U.S. efforts to secure the release of all hostages and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.”

Some family members spoke after the meeting, which they described as “very productive.”

Jonathan Dekel-Chen, the father of American hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen, urged Hamas to come to the negotiating table and reach a deal for the release of hostages.

Jonathan Polin, another meeting attendee, said they have “no choice but to stay hopeful.”

Five Americans are still unaccounted for and are believed to have been held hostage by Hamas after the Oct. 7 attacks that killed more than 1,100 Israelis. The Biden administration has stressed it is continuing to work for the release of all hostages as part of an immediate cease-fire that would pause fighting between Israel and Hamas for at least six weeks.