Current:Home > ScamsVice President Kamala Harris meets with families of hostages held by Hamas -FundWay
Vice President Kamala Harris meets with families of hostages held by Hamas
View
Date:2025-04-14 19:53:22
Washington — Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday met with families of the hostages believed to be held by Hamas, updating the families after CIA Director William Burns participated in hostage talks in Cairo over the weekend.
Five Americans remain unaccounted for and are believed to have been taken hostage by Hamas during the attacks, after Israel announced last month that Itay Chen, a 19-year-old Israeli soldier with dual Israeli-U.S. nationality, was confirmed dead. National security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters that while Burns was in Cairo, there was a "marathon" session late into the night with the U.S., Israel, Qatar and Egypt, with Qatar and Egypt communicating with Hamas.
Sullivan said that although public statements by Hamas have been "less than encouraging," the parties are waiting to secure an answer from Hamas about a hostage proposal.
The administration has made it clear that it will continue to work for the release of all hostages and an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas six months after the militant group's attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting with Harris, Jonathan Dekel-Chen, father of hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen, said he came to encourage all sides to make a deal.
"There is a deal on the table that all of the parties agree to," Dekel-Chen said, noting they are still waiting for Hamas to respond.
Rachel Goldberg-Polin, whose 23-year-old son, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, is being held by Hamas, called the meeting with Harris "productive" and said the family members "want results."
Goldberg-Polin said Sunday on "Face the Nation" that it's a "failure" of global leaders and governments involved in hostage negotiations that her son and more than 130 others have been held in captivity for six months.
The White House says Harris "underscored that President Biden and she have no higher priority than reuniting the hostages with their loved ones" and "reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to bring home the remains of those who have been tragically confirmed to be deceased." She also updated them on U.S. efforts to secure the release of all hostages and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
The vice president also met with the families in late October. The families of the hostages met with Sullivan on Monday.
Israeli officials said that around 240 people were believed to have been taken hostage amid the Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7. Six months later, less than half of those captured have been returned. Parties gathered in Cairo over the weekend to restart negotiations to release the remaining hostages being held by Hamas.
- Israel to open 3 aid corridors following Biden's call with Netanyahu
U.S. and Qatari-led hostage diplomacy began in October, when two dual U.S.-Israeli hostages — a Chicago teenager and her mother — were released. Then, during a weeklong pause in fighting in November, more than 100 hostages were released, including two U.S. citizens, one of whom was only four years old. And in late December, the final American woman believed to be among the hostages, Judi Weinstein Haggai, was confirmed by Israel to have died.
Kaia HubbardKaia Hubbard is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital based in Washington, D.C.
TwitterveryGood! (5)
Related
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- Slogging without injured MVP (again), Atlanta Braves facing an alternate October path
- Long Island lawmakers to vote on whether to ban trans women athletes from competing in public facilities
- TikToker Miranda Derrick Says Her Life Is In Danger After Dancing for the Devil Cult Allegations
- Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
- Four people shot at downtown Atlanta food court, mayor says
- Man holding a burning gas can charges at police and is fatally shot by a deputy, authorities say
- Why Emilia Clarke Feared She Would Get Fired From Game of Thrones After Having Brain Aneurysms
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- Four people shot at downtown Atlanta food court, mayor says
Ranking
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- S&P 500, Nasdaq post record closing highs; Fed meeting, CPI ahead
- Stock market today: Asian stocks are mixed ahead of this week’s Fed meeting
- Defense attorney for rapper Young Thug found in contempt, ordered to spend 10 weekends in jail
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- DOJ, Tennessee school reach settlement after racial harassment investigation
- US Coast Guard says ship with cracked hull likely didn’t strike anything in Lake Superior
- Pamela Smart, serving life, accepts responsibility for her husband’s 1990 killing for the first time
Recommendation
Could your smelly farts help science?
Here's what a tumor actually is and why they're a lot more common than many people realize
Boeing Starliner's return delayed: Here's when the astronauts might come back to Earth
Utah governor looks to rebound in primary debate after harsh reception at GOP convention
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Arthritis is common, especially among seniors. Here's what causes it.
Florida officials launch cold case playing cards in jails, prisons to 'generate new leads'
Heat stress can turn deadly even sooner than experts thought. Are new warnings needed?