(NewsNation) — President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will meet with the U.S. hostage deal negotiating team in the White House Situation Room on Monday, following Hamas’ execution of six hostages, including American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin.
The meeting will focus on efforts to secure the release of the remaining 101 hostages, including seven Americans, still held by Hamas in Gaza.
On Sunday, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan briefed families of American hostages on the situation. He told them that the next few days would be critical in pushing for the hostages’ release.
Both Biden and Harris spoke with Goldberg-Polin’s parents on Sunday. Biden expressed outrage, stating that Hamas “will pay for these crimes.” Harris added, “My heart breaks for their pain and anguish.”
Former President Donald Trump, Harris’s 2024 opponent, criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the situation, claiming they are “directly responsible for unnecessary deaths.”
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People block a road as they protest, calling for a deal for the immediate release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) -
This combination of six undated photos shows hostages, from top left, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Eden Yerushalmi, from bottom left, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, and Carmel Gat, who were held hostage by Hamas militants in Gaza. On Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, the Hostages Families Forum announced their deaths while in Hamas captivity. (The Hostages Families Forum via AP) -
A mourner lays an Israeli flag on the grave of slain hostage Alexander Lobanov, who was killed in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, southern Israel, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov) -
People light candles during a vigil in memory of slain hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin in Jerusalem, Israel, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) -
Yigal Sarusi, center, mourns during the funeral of his son, slain hostage Almog Sarusi, who was killed in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip, at a cemetery in Ra’anana, Israel, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) -
Israeli police officers disperse demonstrators blocking a road during a protest calling for a deal for immediate release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group, in Jerusalem, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean) -
People take part in a protest calling for a deal for immediate release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) -
People take part in a protest calling for a deal for immediate release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group, in Tel Aviv, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Tens of thousands of grieving and angry Israelis surged into the streets Sunday night chanting “Now! Now!” as they demanded Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reach a cease-fire with Hamas to bring the remaining captives home.
The mass outpouring appeared to be the largest such demonstration in 11 months of war and protesters said it felt like a possible turning point, although the country is deeply divided.
Cease-fire negotiations have dragged on for months. Many blame Netanyahu for failing to reach a deal, which opinion polls show a majority of Israelis favor. But the prime minister also has significant support for his strategy of “total victory” against Hamas, even if a deal for the hostages has to wait.
The military said all six hostages were killed shortly before Israeli forces arrived. “Whoever murders hostages doesn’t want a deal,” Netanyahu said, blaming the Hamas for the stalled negotiations.
The army identified the other hostages as Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; Alexander Lobanov, 33; and Carmel Gat, 40.
The Israeli Health Ministry said autopsies had determined the hostages were shot at close range and died on Thursday or Friday. The army said the bodies were recovered from a tunnel in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, around a kilometer (half a mile) from where another hostage was rescued alive last week.
Funerals began, with more outrage. Sarusi’s body was wrapped in an Israeli flag. “You were abandoned on and on, daily, hour after hour, 331 days,” his mother, Nira, said. “You and so many beautiful and pure souls.”
Meanwhile, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, expressing condolences for the slain hostages and outrage at Hamas’ actions, according to a press note.
Austin affirmed that Hamas leaders must be held accountable and reaffirmed the commitment to swiftly reaching a cease-fire deal.
The Secretary also conveyed condolences for three Israeli police officers killed in an apparent terrorist attack in the West Bank.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
