The Biden administration is "disappointed" no Americans have been released as a part of the hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas, two senior administration officials told NBC News on Saturday.
They added that officials remain "hopeful" that at least three Americans with duel Israeli citizenship will be freed as part of the overall deal for the release of 50 hostages.
"We are disappointed that we haven’t seen the Americans on a list yet, but we are hopeful for the next couple of days," one official said, adding "the US is hopeful that we can keep the pause in place and the exchange in place, because we want all of the hostages out."
One official said there is "common concern" that Hamas is holding the three Americans until the fourth day of the exchange to encourage the US to put pressure on Israel for an extended pause in fighting.
No Americans were included in either Friday’s group or Saturday’s group of hostages who were released.
President Joe Biden was asked on Friday when the first American hostages will be released and replied, "We don't know when that will occur, but we're gonna be expecting it to occur."
Previous reports from administration officials have said 10 Americans were missing.