President Joe Biden reveals the full impact of Hamas attacks on Americans in Israel.
In a statement released Monday, Biden, 80, said at least ten Americans, “many of whom have made a second home in Israel,” were killed after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack in Israel.
“It’s heartbreaking,” he said in a statement. “My heart goes out to every family affected by the horrific events of the past few days. The pain these families have endured, the enormity of their loss and the agony of those still waiting for information is unfathomable.”
Biden said many more Americans are still missing, and the White House believes some are even being held hostage by Hamas.
US President Joe Biden speaks in the State Dining Room of the White House.
Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Israel’s defense minister calls for a ‘total siege’ of the Gaza Strip two days after Hamas’s surprise attack
“The safety of American citizens — at home or abroad — is my top priority as president,” he continued in the statement. “While we are still working to confirm, we believe it is likely that American citizens may be among those held by Hamas.”
Biden noted that he had directed his team to work with the Israeli government on the “hostage crisis.” He added that the US government is both “sharing intelligence” with Israel and providing experts to “advise and advise” on “hostage recovery efforts.”
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Burnt vehicles in Ashkelon after a rocket attack from the Gaza Strip.
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Biden went on to say that in light of the recent attacks, police departments have increased security around Jewish centers in cities across the US and are “closely monitoring” any “domestic threats” related to attacks in Israel.
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy echoed the president’s words at a news conference Monday, saying the U.S. government’s top priority should be rescuing American hostages held by Hamas.
Survivors of Israeli music festival talk about mass casualties of Hamas attack: ‘Trauma like I couldn’t imagine’
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Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes on Khan Yunis, Gaza.
Abed Zagout/Anadolu Agency via Getty
“This administration also needs to make clear that harming any American will really result in the wrath of the United States,” McCarthy told ABC News. “We cannot repeat what happened in Afghanistan. It must be clear that we are not negotiating with terrorists and no American will be left behind.”
At least 900 people were killed and 2,500 wounded in Saturday’s surprise attack by the Hamas militant group along the Gaza Strip, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus told CBS News. According to reports, more than 150 Israelis are being held hostage in Gaza The New York Timeswhich may include US citizens who are currently “missing”.
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The IDF also reported that more than 3,200 rockets were fired from Gaza at Israel. In retaliation, the Israel Defense Forces hit 653 Hamas targets, according to the report.
That prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to say the country was “at war,” according to CNN. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also announced a “total siege of Gaza,” blocking the Palestinian-controlled area from amenities such as electricity, food, water and gas.
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