A dozen family members of American hostages held in Gaza - including the parents of Itay Chen, who was confirmed dead just a few weeks ago - met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday in Israel during his trip to the Middle East.
The families reiterated that anything short of a total release of all hostages – both the living and deceased – is not enough, according to a statement from the group representing the families.
Eight American citizens, including the remains of Chen and married couple Gad Haggai and Judy Weinstein, are still being held by Hamas.
Immediate ceasefire and release of all hostages
The families meeting with Blinken came as the US draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council calling for an immediate ceasefire and return of the hostages failed to pass.
During the meeting, the families expressed gratitude for Secretary Blinken’s tireless efforts to secure the release of all remaining hostages and thanked the Biden Administration for their pressure on regional actors and Hamas to finalize a ceasefire deal immediately.
Secretary Blinken emphasized that bringing all the hostages home is a top priority of the Biden Administration," the statement said. "Now that it is 168 days after the brutal attack on Israel, the families urged Secretary Blinken to remain focused on ensuring humanitarian aid reaches the hostages, verification of proof of life for their loved ones, and making sure the hostage situation does not become a political issue."
Speaking with Netanyahu
Blinken met with Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Israeli War Cabinet in Tel Aviv on Friday and spoke with President Isaac Herzog by phone, a State Department spokesperson said.
With Netanyahu and the war cabinet, Blinken reaffirmed the US’ commitment to Israel’s security and the lasting defeat of Hamas, including in Rafah. He discussed efforts to reach an agreement for a ceasefire of at least six weeks that would secure the release of hostages and enable a surge in humanitarian assistance, the State Department said.
"Secretary Blinken emphasized the need to protect civilians in Gaza and increase and sustain humanitarian assistance, including through both land and sea routes. He also briefed the War Cabinet on his consultations in Jeddah and Cairo about efforts to achieve lasting peace and security for Israel, the Palestinian people, and the broader region."
Blinken's meeting with Netanyahu comes days after the Prime Minister told his government that the IDF will operate in Rafah and not give into international pressures to stop the war before Israel achieves its goals.
Netanyahu and President Joe Biden spoke on the phone this week for the first time in more than a month where Netanyahu agreed to send Israeli military and intelligence experts to Washington for the US to show them an alternative military plan for Gaza.
Separately, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin invited Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for a meeting at the Pentagon on Tuesday.