Israeli-American hostage families met White House officials, discussing safety and release hopes. They also addressed efforts to limit Hamas funding.
Although the hopes Israeli-Saudi normalization deal have diminished since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, the Biden administration remains keen on reviving prospects.
Sullivan and Blinken met Israeli officials virtually on Rafah, with talks of a rescheduled Netanyahu Washington trip due to Gaza humanitarian concerns.
"There is no moral basis for stopping the war until we return home all of the hostages. If we do not achieve a decisive and absolute victory in Gaza, a bigger war in the North will come closer."
Perhaps both Biden and Netanyahu might be inspired by former President Barack Obama's memorable words in 2012: “We don’t turn back. We leave no one behind. We pull each other up.
The White House urged Hamas terrorists in Gaza to release women, elderly and wounded hostages and accept a temporary ceasefire.
Netanyahu says not sending delegation back to Cairo for talks.
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan would not indicate any specific threats.
Ohana will also meet with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and US House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Such a deal “is in the national security interest of the United States. And we're going to press for it relentlessly," US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said.