Marco Rubio holds first meeting with families of hostages held by Hamas

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held his first official meeting in Washington, D.C., with the families of the hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza amid the terror group’s ongoing war with Israel.

Rubio reaffirmed the Trump administration’s commitment to securing the release of all 50 remaining hostages, according to a press release from The Hostages and Missing Families Forum.

The meeting featured Moshe Lavi, brother-in-law of hostage Omri Miran; Ilay David, brother of hostage Evyatar David; Tzur Goldin, brother of Lt. Hadar Goldin; and recently released hostage Iair Horn, whose brother Eitan Horn remains in captivity.

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Anthony Rubio, Moshe Lavi, Tzur Goldin, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Iair Horn and Ilay David. (The Hostages and Missing Families Forum)

Rubio’s wife, Jeanette, and son, Anthony, were also at the meeting.

During the meeting, the secretary told the families that true victory in Gaza would only be realized when all the hostages returned home, according to the press release.

He also noted that the U.S. government has already demonstrated its ability to lead significant initiatives in the Middle East. He further argued that Israel has achieved victories in Iran and Lebanon and is capable of defeating Hamas.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed the Trump administration’s commitment to securing the release of all 50 remaining hostages. (JULIEN DE ROSA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The families stressed that this is a critical window of opportunity to bring the remaining hostages home in one comprehensive deal rather than phases or partial agreements as has been the case in Israel’s previous hostage deals with Hamas, the press release said.

They expressed trust in the Trump administration to act with urgency and determination to free the remaining people in Hamas’ captivity.

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Iair Horn was released from his captivity as a hostage of Hamas in Gaza, but his brother, Eitan Horn, remains in the enclave. (GPO/Handout via Reuters; Reuters/Janis Laizans)

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“We’ve waited long enough,” the families said. “It’s time to make brave decisions and bring all our loved ones back—all at once.”