The families of the Americans believed to be held hostage by Hamas in Gaza spoke with senior members of US President Joe Biden’s administration and President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming national security team Saturday, a source familiar with the discussions said, a day before the ceasefire and hostage release deal is expected to go into effect.
The families met with Trump’s incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz on Capitol Hill Saturday, the source said. Trump’s pick for special presidential envoy for hostage affairs Adam Boehler also attended.
The hostage families shared their concerns about ensuring the ceasefire and hostage release deal is implemented through the first two phases and asked Waltz for a “commitment to see this through” to return all of the hostages back to their families, the source said. Waltz told the families it is a top priority for Trump’s team and offered a commitment to ensure this happens, the source said.
The families also spoke with Secretary of State Antony Blinken Saturday and held a separate call with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Friday, the source said.
Seven Americans are believed to be held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. Three are presumed to be alive while four others have been confirmed dead but their remains are still being held in Gaza.
CNN previously reported two Americans held in Gaza – Keith Siegel and Sagui Dekel-Chen – are on the list of hostages to be released in the first six-week phase of the ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.-CNN