Families of Americans held hostage by Hamas in Gaza say that if a deal for their loved ones’ release is not announced during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress on Wednesday, it will be considered a total failure.
The families directly conveyed this message to Netanyahu during a meeting on Monday evening, urging him to finalize the deal immediately. Representatives for the group of eight families, whose loved ones have been held captive for over 290 days, shared this information.
Jon Polin, the parent of American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, emphasized the urgency of bringing the hostages home, stating, “It cannot happen any longer on the backs of our loved ones; they have paid a tremendous price, and now it’s time to bring them home.”
Despite President Joe Biden’s unveiling of a three-phase hostage deal leading to a cease-fire, the deal has not yet been finalized.
Netanyahu has instructed a negotiation team to go back to negotiations on Thursday, as stated by the Israeli Prime Minister’s office. However, the families feel that waiting until then is not necessary.
Tragically, the Israeli Defense Forces announced on Monday that two hostages, Alex Dancyg and Yagev Buchshtab, are deceased.
The families stress the importance of Netanyahu signing an agreement with Hamas, describing it as a national necessity. Anything less would be deemed a failure of leadership.”
The families have been invited on a bipartisan basis to attend Netanyahu’s address to Congress, a joint meeting that is expected to be overseen by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Ben Cardin. Vice President Kamala Harris is anticipated to be absent due to travel, while Senate President Pro Tempore Patty Murray has declined to preside.
Netanyahu’s visit coincides with a significant moment in U.S. politics, following President Biden’s decision not to seek reelection and his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris.
Despite the political landscape, the families remain focused on bringing their loved ones home, regardless of any political changes.
President Biden has underlined the importance of reaching a deal during the remaining months of his term, reaffirming his commitment to ending the conflict in Gaza and bringing the hostages home.
The families are also scheduled to meet with Pentagon officials and lawmakers while in Washington, D.C.
