Biden aims to rescue Americans held captive by Hamas.
The Biden Administration Working to Bring Home Americans Held Hostage by Hamas
The Biden administration is actively working to bring back Americans who have been taken hostage by the terrorist group Hamas, President Joe Biden announced.
“We’re working on every aspect of the hostage crisis in Israel, including deploying experts to advise and assist with recovery efforts,” President Biden said during a roundtable with Jewish community leaders at the White House.
“Now, the press are going to shout to me—and many of you are—that, you know, ‘What are you doing to bring these—get these folks home?’ If I told you, I wouldn’t be able to get them home,” he added, emphasizing the need for secrecy in these operations.
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“Folks, there’s a lot we’re doing—a lot we’re doing. 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. So, I hope you understand how bizarre I think it would be to try to answer that question.”
President Biden Shows Support for Israel and Denounces Anti-Semitism
President Biden attended the roundtable to demonstrate his support for Israel and condemn anti-Semitism, particularly in light of the recent attacks by Hamas since October 7th.
“In the days ahead, we’re going to continue to work closely with our partners in Israel and around the world to ensure Israel has what it needs to defend its citizens, its cities, and to respond to these attacks,” President Biden stated. “My commitment to Israel’s security and the safety of the Jewish people is unshakeable. The United States has Israel’s back. And I have yours as well, both at home and abroad.”
Details of Hostages Unknown
Earlier that day, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that 17 Americans are currently unaccounted for and 22 have been killed in the war.
Of the 17 missing, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters that he was “not aware of any specific proof of life on any individual hostage,” but the administration believes the number held by Hamas is “very small—like less than a handful,” although that could change over time.
“I think we all need to steel ourselves for the very distinct possibility that these numbers will keep increasing and that we may, in fact, find out that more Americans are part of the hostage pool,” Mr. Kirby warned.
When asked about the specific conditions of the hostages, Mr. Kirby sadly responded, “We don’t know.”
“We don’t know where they are. We don’t know if they’re all in one group or broken up into several groups. We don’t know if they’re being moved and with what frequency and to what locations. All of those questions, we’re working hard to answer,” he explained, emphasizing the lack of information available.
Mr. Kirby refrained from commenting on any dialogue with Hamas, stressing the importance of discretion in such situations. “The less you say out there publicly, the better,” he stated.
When asked about the possibility of U.S. military intervention, Mr. Kirby stated that no decisions have been made regarding hostage recovery.
Lawmaker Helps 32 Americans Evacuate From Israel
Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.), an Army veteran who served in Iraq, revealed that he has been in Israel assisting Americans in fleeing the country.
Mr. Mills, who previously aided in the evacuation of Americans and refugees from Afghanistan, stated that he helped 32 Americans evacuate on Wednesday and plans to make another trip on Thursday.
“I worked with one of the pastors in this church group, as well as for a couple of isolated individuals that were stuck in these areas,” he explained. “They had tried to get on multiple flights, but their flights were canceled. At that stage, I just felt it was necessary for me to step in and try to do something,” the congressman shared.
He emphasized that he couldn’t provide specific details about the operation due to safety concerns.
Lawmakers Call for Evacuation of Americans From Israel
On October 10th, 146 members of Congress from both parties urged the Biden administration to use all available resources, including chartering flights, to evacuate Americans seeking to leave Israel during the ongoing conflict.
The lawmakers sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, expressing concern for constituents trapped in Israel since the large-scale attack by Hamas began on October 7th.
Due to the actions of Hamas, numerous airlines have suspended flights to and from Israel, including American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Ryanair. Some rockets fired by terrorists have hit Ben-Gurion International Airport, located about 10 miles southeast of Tel Aviv.
The legislators urged Mr. Blinken to consider both charter flights and military options for evacuation.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that U.S. officials have been in contact with American citizens in Israel and have assisted in facilitating their departure from the country.
Aldgra Fredly contributed to this report.
Why is maintaining secrecy crucial in the efforts to rescue the hostages?
Ed the roundtable with Jewish community leaders at the White House where he expressed his commitment to bringing back Americans who are being held hostage by Hamas, the terrorist group responsible for attacks in Israel. He assured the public that his administration is actively working on all aspects of the hostage crisis and has deployed experts to advise and assist in recovery efforts.
During his address, President Biden acknowledged the concern of the press and the public regarding the efforts being made to bring these individuals home. He emphasized that revealing the details of these operations would jeopardize the safety and successful outcome of the mission. Secrecy is of utmost importance in such circumstances to ensure the safety of the hostages and the success of the rescue mission.
The President mentioned that there is a lot being done behind the scenes and that he has not given up hope on bringing these individuals back home. However, he emphasized the need to maintain secrecy, stating that it would be bizarre to publicly disclose the details of the ongoing operations.
This announcement comes in the context of the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas, where tensions have escalated and numerous attacks have taken place. The Biden administration’s commitment to resolving the hostage crisis demonstrates its dedication to protecting and safeguarding American citizens abroad.
In addition to addressing the hostage crisis, President Biden also expressed his support for Israel and denounced anti-Semitism. His attendance at the roundtable with Jewish community leaders indicates his commitment to addressing the concerns and needs of the Jewish community. By publicly standing with Israel and condemning anti-Semitism, President Biden sends a strong message that the United States stands united against hate and violence.
The Biden administration’s proactive approach to the hostage crisis and its support for Israel are a testament to its dedication to upholding American values and safeguarding American citizens. While the specific details of the ongoing operations cannot be disclosed, it is clear that the administration is actively working to bring these Americans home. As the situation develops, it is crucial for the public to remain vigilant and for the government to continue its efforts to ensure the safe return of the hostages.
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