In recent days, more than 300 Americans and their families have been able to evacuate the war-torn Gaza Strip through intensive negotiations, according to White House official Jonathan Finer. The United States estimates that around 400 Americans have been trapped in Gaza since the conflict escalated after a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, resulting in over 1,400 deaths. While efforts to evacuate Americans and other foreign nationals have been hindered by Hamas' attempts to move its wounded fighters through the Rafah gate into Egypt, Finer assured that negotiations for hostage releases were ongoing and deemed difficult.

The U.S. government continues to believe in the possibility of securing the release of a significant number of hostages. In response to concerns over the mounting civilian casualties and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the Biden administration has pressed Israel to comply with the laws of war, protect civilians, and increase humanitarian aid supplies. Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets across the United States, including outside the White House, demanding a ceasefire in Gaza. The death toll in Gaza has exceeded 9,700, including over 4,000 children, with thousands believed to still be trapped under rubble.