US Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) traveled to Tel-a-Viv over the weekend to meet with US families whose loved ones were kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7th attacks.
Senator Rubio, who is the U.S. Senate's Select Committee on Intelligence Vice Chairman, met with the families of US citizens Itay Chen and Edan Alexander.
Itay Chen was murdered on during the October 7th attacks and Hamas subsequently abducted his body into Gaza, where it remains today.
Chen’s family has claimed they will not hold a funeral until his body is safely returned.
Edan Alexander was similarly abducted during the October 7th attacks and his condition is currently unknown.
Both Chen and Alexander were serving for the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) at the time of Hamas’ attacks.
Rubio lamented the suffering hostage families are having to endure, and stated “we will not let the world forget about every American and Israeli taken hostage by evil terrorists.”
“We should not rest until every single one of them is brought home,” continued Rubio.
Rubio’ visit to the hostage families occurred as Hamas released new footage of some hostages, including one american.
In the propaganda video, american Keith Siegel and Israeli Omri Miran are featured.
Both had not been seen or heard from since they were captured 204 days ago.
Hamas used the footage to claim “the proof of life from Keith Siegel and Omri Miran is the clearest evidence that the Israeli government must do everything to approve a deal for the return of all the hostages before Independence Day.
During his trip, Rubio also met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and conducted oversight on the U.S. intelligence community.
Rubio restated his support for Israel and explained the need for the US to counter international efforts to delegitimize Israel’s right to exist.
Some efforts, according to Rubio, stem “from radical groups within the United States.”
In the past few days, anti-Israel protests have erupted across America’s college campuses.
