US ‘not contemplating’ using American troops for hostage rescue operations, Biden aide says

A White House national security adviser said Thursday that the U.S. is “not contemplating” putting troops on the ground to assist with hostage recovery efforts following terrorist attacks in Israel.

Jon Finer, President Biden’s deputy national security adviser, said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” that efforts to recover Americans who were taken hostage by Hamas following the terrorist attacks over the weekend are going to be difficult, in part, logistically because of the environment in Gaza.

“There is an Intelligence challenge: How do you actually find these people, and then once you do find them, if you do find them, how do you actually locate them, either negotiate their release or try operationally to remove them,” Finer said.

“But what I can say is at this point, we are not contemplating U.S. boots on the ground involved in that mission,” Finer said. “What we have done is sent experts from across our government to the region to consult and advise with their Israeli counterparts to make sure they find the best way to go about getting these people home.”

Biden administration officials have said that Americans are among those who have been taken hostage by Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza and launched terrorist attacks against Israel on Saturday.

U.S. officials have provided scant details about the number of Americans being held, or their location and conditions, but have acknowledged they believe the number of hostages to be less than a handful.

“Folks, there’s a lot we’re doing. A lot we’re doing,” Biden said Wednesday in remarks to Jewish leaders. “I have not given up hope on bringing these folks home. But the idea that I’m going to stand here before you and tell you what I’m doing is bizarre.”