President Joe Biden has planned to host family members of Americans held hostage by Hamas as Israel intensifies its bombardment in Gaza after a pause in fighting during which more than 100 hostages were released, Reuters reports.

Relatives of all eight Americans who are deemed unaccounted for after the group’s October 7 attack on Israel are expected to attend the gathering at the White House, a senior Biden administration official said.

Biden has been personally engaged on the hostage issue and has spoken numerous times with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the emir of Qatar on how to secure their release, the administration official said.

Opinion

Editorial

Shifting climate tone
Updated 08 May, 2026

Shifting climate tone

Our financial system is geared towards short-term, risk-averse lending, while climate adaptation and green infrastructure require patient, long-term capital.
Honour and impunity
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Honour and impunity

THE Sindh Assembly’s discussion on karo-kari this week reminds us of the enduring nature of ‘honour’ killings...
No real change
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No real change

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A breakthrough?
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A breakthrough?

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Missed opportunity
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Missed opportunity

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Punishing dissent
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Punishing dissent

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