Families of the remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas are making concerted efforts this week, pushing officials and lawmakers to advocate for the release of all prisoners in Gaza.
Over the weekend, Secretary of State Marco Rubio conducted his first formal meeting in Washington, D.C. with a group called the Hostage and Missing Family Forum.
“A genuine victory in Gaza will only happen when all hostages are safely back home,” Rubio reportedly mentioned during the meeting.
At the conference, Rubio, who serves as the national security adviser, reiterated the administration’s dedication to securing the release of the 50 remaining hostages, according to a statement from the forum.
Participants in the forum indicated they would take their concerns to the relevant officials. The lobbying group was formed on October 7, 2023, after Hamas’s attack on Israel, bringing together over 300 participants.
The family issued a message to the Trump administration’s secretary through the forum.
The family emphasized the importance of this moment, stating it is a crucial chance to secure the return of all 50 hostages in a single, comprehensive agreement. They expressed their faith in the Trump administration and a sense of urgency.
“We’ve waited long enough,” they remarked. “It’s time to make bold decisions and bring everyone home together.”
Rubio reassured the group that the U.S. has shown it can lead significant efforts in the Middle East. He noted Israel has succeeded against threats from Iran and Lebanon, and suggested that Hamas could also be overcome, according to his statement.
Rubio’s wife, Janet, and son Anthony were also noted to have attended the meeting, as reported by Fox News.
Earlier this week, families of hostages demonstrated outside the assembly, distributing flyers featuring the faces of the remaining hostages to approximately 150 lawmakers. They urged President Trump to negotiate a deal for the hostages’ release.
Later, the forum issued a statement saying: “The ceasefire agreement should be widened to encompass Gaza. We urge the government to secure the return of all hostages and enter emergency negotiations to conclude the conflict. Those capable of achieving a ceasefire with Iran can also bring an end to the war in Gaza.”
