Rubio meets with hostage families, vows all bodies will be returned

“We will not forget the hostages who died in Hamas captivity,” Rubio said, vowing “no rest until their—and all—remains are returned”

By JNS Staff

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met in Jerusalem on Saturday with the families of the two Israeli-American hostages whose remains Hamas has not yet transferred to Israel as required by the first phase of the ceasefire agreement.

“We will not forget the lives of the hostages who died in the captivity of Hamas,” tweeted Rubio, who is on a visit to the Jewish state.

“Today I met with the families of American citizens Itay Chen and Omer Neutra. We will not rest until their—and all—remains are returned,” he vowed.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee could also be seen in a photo posted on X, sitting opposite Rubio.

We will not forget the lives of the hostages who died in the captivity of Hamas. Today I met with the families of American citizens Itay Chen and Omer Neutra. We will not rest until their — and all — remains are returned. pic.twitter.com/wdxN9vLXZ8

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) October 25, 2025

He continued, “Remember a month ago, six weeks ago? No one would have thought it possible that you were going to get all the hostages out. And I know that we still have the remains of hostages [set to be returned]. That has to happen. That’s part of this. And we’re very committed to making sure that happens.”

Gaza ceasefirehostage remainsMarco Rubio