U.S. Unaware Hostage Was Set for Release

The U.S. did not know that the release of South African hostage Pierre Korkie was imminent when it led a raid on the Yemen-based terrorists holding him and American Luke Somers captive. The Gift of the Givers, a South African humanitarian group, had been in talks to secure Korkie, a 56-year-old teacher. U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Patrick Gaspard said the U.S. was “unaware of ongoing negotiations that had any resolution” and it was “not altogether clear” to him that the South African government was aware of the talks either. Korkie and Somers were killed during the botched U.S.-led rescue mission Saturday. “We were just completely unaware of those developments and had to act hastily,” said Gaspard. The Gift of the Givers said Korkie was set to be released on Sunday.