The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has revealed that two American citizens held by Hamas since October 7th Israel attack were released while 10 additional still remain unaccounted for in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Blinken who made this known during a Press Briefing on Friday said these two Americans are now safely in the hands of Israeli authorities in Israel and the United States Goverment is very anxious to be able to reunite them with their loved ones.
He said further that these 10 additional Americans who remain unaccounted for, some are being held hostage by Hamas, along with estimated 200 other hostages held in Gaza which includes men, women, young boys, young girls, elderly people from many nations.
He said, “Since the earliest hours of this crisis, the President has made clear that he will do everything possible to secure the release of every hostage.
“During my own recent travel to the region, I emphasized the urgency and importance of this to the United States and pressed our partners to do everything they can to help us secure the release.
“Since that time, we’ve continued to work relentlessly with partners to do just that. I can’t speak publicly about the details of these efforts, and I know you understand that, but the urgent work to free every single American.
“To free all other hostages continues – as does our work to secure safe passage out of Gaza for Americans who are trapped there. In this particular instance, I want to thank the Government of Qatar for their very important assistance”, he said.
He recalled when he was in Israel last week, he met with the families of U.S. citizens that Hamas has taken hostage. “President Biden too had the opportunity to hear directly from the families.
“It’s impossible to adequately put into words the agony they’re feeling of not knowing the fate of their loved ones, worrying relentlessly about them – for their safety, for their security, for their wellbeing. No family anywhere should have to experience this torture.
“What I shared with the families, as the President did as well, is that the entire United States Government will work every minute of every day to secure their release, to bring their loved ones home.
“They have my solemn pledge, those who continue to have loved ones held hostage by Hamas, that we’ll continue to do that, working as though these family members were our own”, the Secretary added.
Speaking as regard the Rafah Crossing, he said when he was in the region over the past week, he worked very hard with the Government of Israel, the Government of Egypt, to make it top priority, and secured an understanding that would develop a plan to move assistance.
He stated further that this was cemented by President Joe Biden when he was in Israel and speaking to the President El-Sisi of Egypt. “Working relentlessly with Amb David Satterfield on the ground, working with United Nations, Egypt and Israel, to put that into motion”.