"VP Harris Meets with Families of Hostages Held by Hamas and Promises Reunion Priority"
Vice President Kamala Harris met with families of hostages believed to be held by Hamas, updating them after CIA Director William Burns participated in hostage talks in Cairo. The administration continues to work for the release of all hostages and an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with a deal on the table awaiting a response from Hamas. Israeli officials believe around 240 people were taken hostage during the Hamas attack in October, and less than half have been returned. The U.S. and Qatar have been leading hostage diplomacy efforts since October, resulting in the release of some hostages, but five Americans remain unaccounted for.