The State Department confirmed on Monday that at least nine Americans lost their lives in the unexpected Hamas assault on Israel. This grim revelation is poised to deepen U.S. involvement in the ongoing crisis.
Hamas terrorists advance towards the Israeli border from southern Gaza on Saturday
Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., Mike Herzog, and Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, disclosed on Sunday that American citizens were among those captured by Hamas and taken to Gaza. Secretary of State Tony Blinken has stated that efforts are underway to authenticate these reports.
9 Americans are among those killed in Hamas' brutal massacre in Israel.
— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) October 9, 2023
Hamas, a terrorist organization, has the blood of people from around the world – Jews and non-Jews – on its hands.
Don't look away. This is a global catastrophe.https://t.co/hrBx1JhRhl
A senior U.S. official indicated that the prevailing assumption is that dual Israeli-American nationals were abducted and transported to Gaza during the Hamas incursion.
In response to the escalating situation, the U.S. announced on Sunday that it would be dispatching additional military assistance to Israel and relocating its Ford carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean to fortify regional deterrence measures.
US deploying U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford closer to Israel, dispatching additional military assistance.
An NSC spokesperson expressed, “We can confirm the deaths of several U.S. citizens”, in a statement issued on Sunday. The spokesperson continued, “We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and the families of all those affected and wish those injured a speedy recovery. We continue to monitor the situation closely and remain in touch with our Israeli partners, particularly the local authorities”.
The crisis unfolded as Hamas terrorists launched a multifaceted attack on Israeli villages and towns on Sunday, employing land, air, and sea routes. The surprise attack caught both the Israeli military and much of the world off guard.
Videos circulating on social media, though unverified, depict terrorists targeting Israeli civilians and soldiers. Some captives, including older women, were taken hostage and transported to Gaza.
A Hamas military wing spokesperson had announced on Saturday that all abductees were being held in concealment sites across Gaza, including underground tunnels.
Several hours after the initial attack on Saturday, Israel commenced retaliatory strikes against Gaza. The toll from the ongoing conflict includes at least 700 Israelis and 560 Palestinians killed, with thousands sustaining injuries.
This surge in violence follows a year marked by escalating tensions in the region, particularly in Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank.
