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White House official: 6 US hostages still in Gaza

After the announcement of the death of US citizens Gadi Haggai and Judith Weinstein, the number of US hostages has been revised downward from eight to six. 

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

The Biden Administration has confirmed that six US citizens are believed to be held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, but they have not received updates about their condition and aren’t certain whether or not they are still alive, a senior White House official told NBC on Tuesday.

After the announcement last week of the death of US citizens Gadi Haggai and Judith Weinstein, the number of US hostages has been revised downward from eight to six.

Initially, it was believed that both Gadi Haggai and his wife Judith Weinstein were being held captive in Gaza, but last week it was revealed that Judith died on October 7th and the bodies of the couple are being held by terrorists.

Immediately after October 7th, the US stated that 12 of its citizens were unaccounted for or were being held hostage by Hamas terrorists.

The first American citizens to be released from Gaza were Judith and Natalie Raanan followed by four-year-old Abigail Mor Idan and Liat Beinin (49).

Although the White House official said the Biden Administration was pushing for another hostage deal, negotiations are more complex and it appears Hamas and Israel are far apart on their demands.

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Hamas previously insisted that they won’t agree to further hostage releases unless Israel submits to a permanent ceasefire and withdraws from the Gaza Stip, a condition Israel rejected outright.

On Tuesday, the Israeli Prime Minister met with families of hostages and said, “The effort [to return the hostages] continues, the contacts are taking place, they have not been cut off.”

He added, “There was an ultimatum from Hamas, now it has softened a bit.”

Earlier in the week, a Qatari mediator reported that Hamas may be willing to agree to the release of 40-50 hostages captured from Israel in exchange for 120 Palestinian prisoners and a 20-day pause in fighting and has dropped its demand for a permanent ceasefire as a pre-condition, according to the Arab World Press, citing sources in Hamas.

However, amid conflicting reports from the Arab media and no specific updates on Israel’s side, it isn’t clear how or if these negotiations are progressing.