'No better friend': Families of American hostages taken by Hamas meet with President Biden

WASHINGTON − Families members of American hostages still in Gaza met Wednesday with President Joe Biden for about two hours at the White House as they desperately seek his help to secure the release of their loved ones.

Jonathan Dekel-Chen, the father of 35-year-old Sagui Dekel-Chen, among the American hostages still in Hamas captivty, described a "terrific" meeting between Biden, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and hostage families.

"We could have no better friend in Washington or the White House than President Biden himself," Dekel-Chen said.

Seven American men are believed to be among the more than 100 hostages held in Gaza after being kidnapped during the devastating Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. One American woman remains unaccounted for. Four American hostages have been released by Hamas, including two during a week-long cease-fire last month.

Family members who met with Biden declined to discuss details of their discussion, calling it a "private conversation," but came away hopeful. They held signs with the faces of their kidnapped loved ones as they spoke to reporters outside the White House.

"We would love a Christmas miracle," said Liz Naftali, the great aunt of Abigail Edan, a 4-year-old American girl who Hamas released last month. "We would love all of our loved ones to come back and be with us for Christmas."

She called Abigail "a light in this very dark time."

"We know that they are working 24 hours a day," Naftali said of the White House, "and they are going to work through the holidays and they are going to do everything they can to make sure that all of our loved ones − real people −come home to us."

Biden's efforts to secure the release of more hostages comes as he's ratcheted up his criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, telling supporters at a private fundraiser Tuesday that Israel is "starting to lose" international support because of its "indiscriminate bombing" of Gaza.

"Bibi's got a tough decision to make," Biden, referring to Netanyahu, said. "He’s a good friend, but I think he has to change − with this government. This government in Israel is making it very difficult for him to move."

"These are difficult days for these families," Kirby said, adding that this holiday season "there's going to be an empty chair at the table, there's going to be a still and silence in the room, and there's going to be irrepressible ache, and worry and fear."

The Biden administration was able to help secure the release of more than 100 hostages − all women and children − during a seven-day temporary cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The U.S. blamed Hamas for the pause ending, saying the militant group did not provide a list of additional women hostages they would release.

Dekel-Chen said Biden has shown he is "completely committed" to freeing all the hostages.

"We have no doubt about that," he said. "And today's meeting with President Biden and Secretary Blinken only reinforced that − that they are willing and ready to do all that they possibly can, by any number of means, to get the hostages out."

Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly known as Twitter, @joeygarrison.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden meets with families of American hostage taken by Hamas