The State Department revealed on Dec. 5 that it had made an offer to Russia to trade prisoners for Gershkovich and another imprisoned American, but that the deal was turned down.
The suspect is believed to be a member of a swatting ring that carried out false bomb threats and swatting attempts targeting at least 25 synagogues in 13 states during July and August.
Joe Biden called a menorah from Kibbutz Kfar Aza “a symbol of the Jewish people that not only survive but heal, rebuild and continue to shine their light on the world.”