US in ‘ongoing negotiations’ to free hostages taken by Hamas

The United States continues to be involved in “ongoing negotiations” for the release of hostages taken by Hamas in Gaza, including several Americans, after the group’s terror attack on Israel over one month ago that killed 1,200. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan gave an update to ABC News on Sunday, Nov. 12, confirming that nine Americans are still missing, but would not confirm Israel’s account that over 230 hostages are still in Gaza, saying only the number of missing is known.

According to the Biden administration, one of the American hostages being held in Gaza is a 3-year-old who’s parents were killed in Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. During a phone call with Qatari leaders, Biden “condemned unequivocally the holding of hostages by Hamas.”

“There are ongoing negotiations involving the Israelis, the Qataris, and we, the United States, are actively engaged in this as well because we want to make sure that we bring home those Americans who have been taken hostage as well as all of the other hostages.”

On NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there “could be” a potential hostage deal with Hamas but would not go into further detail.

The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said more than 11,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel began its airstrikes in response to Hamas’ attack.

Attention has turned to the condition of hospitals in the region amidst the fighting. The Palestinian Health Minister said a majority of medical facilities in Gaza are out of service, leading to the death of three newborns and 10 other patients at Gaza’s largest hospital.

Netanyahu told NBC News that Israel offered fuel to the hospital but that it was “refused.” Israel alleges that Hamas hides in tunnels under Gaza hospitals, but Hamas and the hospital dispute those claims.

Negotiations to free the hostages taken by Hamas and other terror groups to Gaza following the Oct. 7 attack, are intense and ongoing as Qatar continues to mediate deal-making between Israel and Hamas, according to multiple U.S. officials. https://t.co/7MkXFb16Mt

— CBS News (@CBSNews) November 13, 2023

Meanwhile, the Pentagon said the United States carried another set of airstrikes in Eastern Syria on facilities connected to Iranian-backed groups on Sunday, Nov. 12, in response to repeated attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria. The U.S. said the latest “precision” strikes targeted a training facility and safe house.