Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that the Biden administration is investigating reports of Americans being killed or taken hostage amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Blinken stated that they have reports of several Americans being killed and reports of missing Americans, and they are working to verify these reports.
Assisting detained U.S. citizens abroad is a priority, according to Blinken, but he emphasized the need for verification before taking action.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated when Hamas launched rocket barrages and fighters crossed the border. The exact number of captives remains unclear, but Israeli forces engaged with Hamas gunmen, leading to casualties on both sides.
Blinken condemned Hamas’ attacks on Israel and expressed solidarity with the Israeli government and people. President Joe Biden also reiterated his commitment to Israel’s security and is considering additional requests from Israel to support its response to the attacks.
The situation in the region remains volatile, with ongoing clashes and casualties on both sides. The United States is closely monitoring the situation and working to assist American citizens affected by the conflict.