Families of US-Israeli hostages ask Biden and Trump to push for hostage deal before Inauguration Day

U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to meet with families of the remaining American-Israeli hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists in Gaza as they push for the Biden administration – and the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump – to cooperate on securing a hostage release deal. 

On Tuesday, the families met with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, urging the Biden administration to work with Trump’s transition team to secure a hostage deal before Inauguration Day on Jan. 20, 2025. 

U.S. President Joe Biden hosted Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the White House on Tuesday, where Herzog emphasized the urgent need to prioritize the release of hostages.

Negotiations over the hostages have been stalled for months, with neither Hamas nor Israel showing a willingness to compromise.

Jonathan Dekel-Chen, father of hostage Sagui, told The Times of Israel the families requested that both administrations “...work together, not to prepare the Trump administration for taking office in late January, but rather to get this done now, in this unique moment.” 

Dekel-Chen said he is worried that “there’s a very real possibility that none of the hostages will remain alive, and it will be nearly impossible to retrieve the remains of those who have been murdered,” if a deal is not closed before Trump takes office.

Ruby Chen, father of Itay Chen, who was killed and abducted into Gaza on Oct. 7, told CNN that he hopes to visit with Trump after meeting with the Biden administration. 

“He’s always been ‘America First,’” Chen told CNN. “He cares about the topic of American hostages and now it’s time to see his recommitment to the topic, and have American hostages come out before January 20.” 

During his speech at the Republican National Convention over the summer, Trump said, “To the entire world, I tell you this: We want our hostages back. And they better be back before I assume office, or you will be paying a very big price.” 

Chen stated that even a social media post – something the former president is well-known for – that addresses the issue of American hostages in Gaza would reassure him that Trump considers their release a priority.

After the elections last week, the American-Israeli hostage families called on both Trump and Biden to “secure the immediate release of the hostages and end this nightmare for the hostage families, Israel, and the civilians of Gaza.” 

“The hostages cannot wait any longer,” the families said. “They are depending on us and on Republican and Democratic leaders to seize this moment.”