Biden Engages in Heartfelt Dialogue with Families of Missing Americans in Israel

President Joe Biden, on Friday, communicated with the families of the Americans who are still unaccounted for in Israel. This interaction comes in fulfillment of his commitment to engage with the relatives of those being held captive by Hamas. While addressing the audience in Philadelphia on Friday afternoon, Biden shared the details of the discussion.

"They are experiencing extreme distress as they remain unaware of the well-being and whereabouts of their sons, daughters, husbands, wives, and children," he stated. "It is a deeply agonizing situation. I assured them of my unwavering dedication to exhaust all efforts in ensuring the safe return of the American individuals."

John Kirby, the National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, informed the press that Biden personally expressed his prayers for these families. He also emphasized that the United States government is fully committed to employing every available resource in locating and repatriating their cherished family members."

During the call, Roger Carstens, the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, led the discussion, as mentioned by Kirby. Kirby also stated that numerous family members provided details about their loved ones, including personal anecdotes and the challenging experiences they have encountered throughout this unimaginable ordeal.

Families of individuals who have gone missing following a sudden assault by Hamas militants close to the Gaza border in Tel Aviv, Israel, gather for a press briefing on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Maya Alleruzzo/AP

Behind the effort to rescue American hostages from one of the most dangerous places on earth

In a video call, attended by family members from Israel and the US, it was a significant gathering with multiple participants joining from various places. According to a source familiar with the conversation, the call was described as emotional, without any disagreements or tense moments. Furthermore, Biden seemed to prefer an informal tone for the call.

Saray Cohen, whose sister and niece were abducted by Hamas, expressed to CNN's Wolf Blitzer her appreciation for Biden taking the time to speak with each of them during their call. She shared that he provided reassurance and confirmed the United States' commitment to doing everything possible to secure their safe return and obtain proof that they are alive. Cohen expressed confidence in being in capable hands during this difficult time.

Cohen expressed her concern for numerous unaccounted family members, stating that the situation has left them devastated and going through a difficult time. She added that they are extremely worried about their loved ones. In the recently aired interview on CBS "60 Minutes," Biden assured that he would personally reach out to the families.

"I believe it is important for them to be aware that the president of the United States of America genuinely cares about the current situation. Genuinely. We must convey to the global community that this is a matter of utmost importance. Such behavior is simply unacceptable and inhumane," stated the president in a preview of his interview with CBS' Scott Pelley on "60 Minutes" which was made available on Friday morning.

Furthermore, he affirmed, "We will utilize all available resources to bring them back home, should we manage to locate them."

When asked about his message to those who are holding Americans hostage in Gaza, Biden responded, "We are doing everything within our capabilities. I can't go into specifics, but we are working tirelessly on it."

Additionally, Biden emphasized the importance of personally reaching out to the affected families, stating, "I believe it is crucial for them to know that the President of the United States truly cares about the ongoing situation."

"We need to convey to the rest of the world the utmost significance of this. Such actions are inhumane, an absolute display of barbarity," he continued.

According to Kirby, there are still fourteen Americans whose whereabouts are unknown, and reports from the White House suggest that Hamas is holding "a small number" of them captive after the recent attacks.

During a Friday morning interview with CNN's Poppy Harlow, Kirby stated that the US is actively engaged in direct communication with Israeli counterparts and the families. He acknowledged the families' vital role in providing valuable information, explaining that some of them personally witnessed the abductions or have seen photographic evidence. Thus, the families serve as a significant and crucial source of information.

But, he added, "We just dont have enough information to develop any specific policy options one way or the other."

US offering Israel assistance

Israel is receiving assistance from the US in hostage recovery, with the presence of FBI and Pentagon personnel providing support on-site.

Alongside this, diplomatic endeavors to retrieve the hostages are in progress, as Secretary of State Antony Blinken is currently in Qatar, a country engaged in discussions with Hamas regarding the hostages, as reported by CNN.

Kirby stated to CNN on Thursday that Hamas often employs the strategy of dividing hostages into smaller groups and relocating them periodically, although the United States has not yet verified this.

President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel in the State Dining Room of the White House October 10, 2023 in Washington, DC.

Drew Angerer/Getty Images

In a brief explanation, the US has supported Israel for 75 years. Biden referred to Hamas as "pure evil," while acknowledging that the majority of Palestinians were experiencing suffering due to the actions of the militant group. The president openly stated his urgent efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, emphasizing his focus on alleviating the plight of the Palestinian population in the coastal enclave.

Biden emphasized that it is important to acknowledge that the majority of Palestinians were not involved with Hamas, stating that they are also experiencing suffering. US law enforcement officials, including FBI hostage negotiators and agents stationed in Israel and various field offices across the US, have been providing assistance in the ongoing efforts.

This includes members of the FBI's Critical Incident Response Group, who have extensive experience in resolving hostage incidents, including those in war zones spanning from Afghanistan to Iraq and across the Middle East. Negotiators and agents are currently communicating with family members to obtain proof of life information, which will aid the investigation and help prepare potential questions in case the hostage-takers make contact.

Earlier this week, President Biden expressed his administration's complete dedication to rescuing hostages. He mentioned that while they are actively addressing every aspect of the hostage crisis in Israel, disclosing specific measures taken by the administration could hinder the safe return of the hostages.

"Folks, we have a lot on our plate - a lot on our plate. I still hold onto hope of safely bringing these people back home," stated Biden. "However, it would be strange for me to disclose my actions right now, so I trust you can comprehend how unusual it would be for me to attempt to respond to that question."

Please note that the information provided is a revised version of the original content and may contain alterations for clarity and coherence.

CNNs MJ Lee, Piper Hudspeth Blacburn, Nikki Carvajal and Priscilla Alvarez contributed to this report.