Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff on Friday met with families of Americans still unaccounted for following the horrific October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel. In a statement following the meeting, the White House said that Harris and Emhoff joined a meeting led by Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens at the State Department. “They listened to the families’ experiences over the past several weeks, which has been an agonizing ordeal, and expressed their support,” the statement said. “The Vice President relayed to the families that there is no higher priority for her and President Biden than the safety of American citizens. The Vice President emphasized that the Biden-Harris Administration is doing everything possible to bring these Americans home and secure the release of all hostages held by Hamas,” it continued. Vice President Harris “also underscored that securing the hostages remains front and center in our diplomatic conversations and that we are working with partners in the Middle East to ensure that any country with influence over Hamas brings that influence to bear to help secure the release of hostages,” concluded the statement. US President Joe Biden on Thursday reiterated his commitment to secure the release of all the hostages being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. “We’re working around the clock – together with our partners in the Middle East – to secure the release of hostages, including American citizens being held by Hamas, and the safe passage of Americans out of Gaza,” he wrote on X. “We will not stop until we get them home,” stressed Biden. Related articles: 'I don't understand why Israel gave up Gaza' Terrorists in Syria threaten Israel Abducted soldier's mother: 'My son is wounded and forgotten' Gaza government declares Rafah region 'disaster zone' Biden spoke to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, hours after the release of Nurit Cooper and Yocheved Lifshitz by Hamas. In that conversation, the President “reaffirmed his commitment to ongoing efforts to secure the release of all the remaining hostages taken by Hamas - including Americans - and to provide for safe passage for US citizens and other civilians in Gaza,” the White House said in a statement. (Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)
