US President Joe Biden had told reporters this week that his message to the hostages held by Hamas was “Hang in there, we’re coming,” raising questions about what he meant, Reuters reports.

Asked to clarify the comment, Biden told a news conference: “What I meant was, I’m doing everything in my power to get you out. Coming to help you, get you out. I don’t mean sending in military in there … I was not talking about the military.”

Biden said he was working on the issue constantly, and would not stop until the hostages — including a three-year-old American child — were freed.