Families of American hostages demand deal to bring them home as ‘outraged’ Biden vows Hamas will pay

Families of seven American hostages still being held captive by Hamas demanded that the White House and Israeli governmentreach a deal with Hamas on Sunday as Washington was rocked by the news of the death of a California man held by the militants.

President Joe Biden issued a lengthy statement overnight Saturday expressing his “outrage” and vowing that Hamas would “pay” for the death of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, even as the US seems no closer to reaching a ceasefire deal that officials have said is close at hand for months.

“I have worked tirelessly to bring their beloved Hersh safely to them and am heartbroken by the news of his death,” Biden said of Goldberg-Polin’s parents Jon and Rachel, who spoke at the Democratic National Convention last month.

“Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.”

Biden’s statement was not likely to raise the spirits of the remaining hostage families. It did not mention a possible deal to secure the release of the last seven US hostages until the final sentence – and only after the president vowed justice and/or revenge for Goldberg-Polin’s death.

“Hamas is an evil terrorist organization. With these murders, Hamas has even more American blood on its hands. I strongly condemn Hamas’ continued brutality, and so must the entire world,” added Harris, his VP and former running mate, in her own statement.

Biden has spoken with Goldberg-Polin’s family and his national security adviser Jake Sullivan is due to speak with the other hostage families in the days ahead.

But, relatives of the seven US hostages still in captivity are not buying the messages coming out of the White House and