U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the White House initiative on climate change, at the White House in Washington, November 14, 2023.
"Hang in there, we're coming," Biden said at the White House, when asked by reporters what his message to family members of hostages was.
Hamas fighters surged across the border from Gaza into Israel on Oct.7, killing about 1,200 people and taking around 240 hostages, according to Israeli officials.
The Israeli bombardment of Gaza has killed more than 11,000 Palestinians, around 40% of them children, according to health officials in the Hamas-ruled territory.
Reuters last week reported that Qatar, where several political leaders of Hamas are based, has been leading mediation efforts between Hamas and Israeli officials over the hostages.
Persons:
Joe Biden, Tom Brenner, we're, Biden, Brett McGurk, Israel, Andrea Shalal, Steve Holland, Susan Heavey, Katharine Jackson, Doina Chiaacu, Deepa Babington
Organizations:
White, REUTERS, Rights, West Bank, Gaza, Reuters, Thomson
Locations:
Washington, Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, United States