The US welcomes the release of two Americans held hostage by Hamas and “shares in the relief that their families, friends and loved ones are feeling,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a briefing Friday.
“But there are still 10 additional Americans who remain unaccounted for in this conflict,” Blinken continued, adding that they are among an estimated 200 others from various countries being held in Gaza, including men, women, elderly people and children.
“Every single one of them should be released,” Blinken said.
Blinken said “the urgent work to free every single American, to free all other hostages, continues.”
The top US diplomat said that during his recent travel to Israel, he met with loved ones of US citizens captured by Hamas. US President Joe Biden also “had the opportunity to hear directly from the families,” he said.
“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,” Blinken said. “They have my solemn pledge — those who continue to have loved ones held hostage by Hamas — that we’ll continue to do that.”
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