30 Americans killed, 13 missing in Hamas attacks on Israel, U.S. reports.
The American death toll in Israel rises to 30 as Hamas launches terrorist attacks
The American death toll in Israel after Hamas launched terrorist attacks on the country last weekend has risen to 30, according to the U.S. government. In addition to the 29 killed, more than a dozen Americans remain missing, with some believed to be held hostage in Gaza.
State Department working to locate missing Americans
“At this time, we can confirm the deaths of 30 U.S. citizens. We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and to the families of all those affected. At this time, we are also aware of 13 American nationals who are unaccounted-for,” a State Department official said in a statement.
“State Department personnel have been in contact with their families,” the statement added. “The U.S. government is working around the clock to determine their whereabouts and is working with the Israeli government on every aspect of the hostage crisis, including sharing intelligence and deploying experts from across the United States government to advise the Israeli government on hostage recovery efforts.”
Some of the Americans who were killed have been identified in media reports.
Overall, an estimated 1,300 people-plus in Israel have been killed in the attacks and roughly 3,200 more injured in the terrorist attacks and rocket barrages that have persisted over the past week. In addition, Hamas is believed to have taken dozens of hostages.
As Israeli forces wage war on Hamas, thousands of casualties have also been reported in the Gaza Strip.
U.S. officials have been working to help Americans evacuate Israel as well as the Gaza Strip. An estimated 500-600 Americans reside in Gaza, and some who have tried to leave said they were stuck at the border with Egypt, according to The New York Times.
U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told ABC on Sunday the Biden administration has a “dedicated team” helping Americans get out of Gaza safely, but noted “Hamas has intervened in some cases to make it hard for Palestinians, Palestinian Americans and others to be able to travel to the border crossing and get through.”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has traveled to the Middle East to visit Israel and other countries in the region to discuss the terrorist attacks and seek ways to stop the fighting from spreading as Israeli forces trade fire with Hezbollah at the Lebanon border and Iran warns of a regional conflict if “aggressions do not stop.”
The Biden administration has pledged support for Israel while condemning Hamas.
“This weekend, I connected again with Prime Minister Netanyahu to reiterate unwavering U.S. support for Israel, and to provide an update on our military support and efforts to protect civilians,” Biden said in a Sunday post. “It’s time all countries unequivocally condemned Hamas as a terrorist organization that does not represent the aspirations of the Palestinian people.”
How is the United States working to bring those responsible for the terrorist attacks to justice?
E and assist in the rescue efforts.”
The terrorist attacks, which began on Friday evening, targeted several cities across Israel, including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa. The attacks involved rockets fired from Gaza and suicide bombings, causing widespread destruction and civilian casualties.
Tensions escalate between Israel and Hamas
The recent violence marks a significant escalation in tensions between Israel and Hamas, a Palestinian militant group that controls the Gaza Strip. The conflict originated following clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinian protesters in Jerusalem, particularly around the Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of the holiest sites in Islam.
Hamas, claiming to defend Palestinian rights, launched rockets towards Israeli cities as retaliation. Israel, in response, conducted airstrikes targeting Hamas military facilities and infrastructure in Gaza.
The targeting of American citizens in these attacks adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation. The United States has long been a staunch ally of Israel, and any harm inflicted on American citizens by terrorist organizations is a grave concern for the U.S. government.
President Biden, in a statement, expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and promised to do everything in his power to bring those responsible for the attacks to justice.
International community calls for de-escalation and peace
The international community has called for an immediate de-escalation of violence and a return to peace talks. The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting to address the situation, with several member states expressing deep concerns about the loss of civilian lives and the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.
Efforts are underway to initiate peace negotiations between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Egypt and other regional players. The aim is to reach a ceasefire agreement that can alleviate the suffering of civilians on both sides and prevent further escalation of hostilities.
As the death toll rises and more Americans remain missing, the urgency to resolve the conflict intensifies. The United States, along with its international partners, will continue to work tirelessly towards a peaceful resolution that ensures the safety and security of all individuals affected by this tragic situation.
It is crucial for the international community to unite in condemning terrorism and supporting efforts to bring stability and peace to the region. Only through collective action and a commitment to dialogue can we hope to prevent future tragedies and build a better future for all.
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