U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has raised concerns over reports several Americans might be among those killed or held hostage in Israel due to the recent terrorist attacks by Palestinian militants from Gaza.
During an interview with NBC’s Meet The Press, Blinken stated, “We have reports that several Americans may be among the dead,” and he also mentioned the possibility of American hostages being held captive by Hamas. Blinken said they are actively working to authenticate these reports.
The conflict started when Hamas launched a coordinated terrorist attack on Israel aimed at killing and abducting civilians on Saturday.
During this assault, rockets were fired from Gaza while Hamas fighters infiltrated the border. In response, Israel initiated counter-strikes on the Gaza Strip, which is under Hamas control. Subsequently, Israel announced its status as being “at war.”
Immediately after the initial barrage of rockets there were reports of mass kidnappings.
An Israeli military spokesperson, Jonathan Conricus, said that there was a “significant number” of Israeli civilians and soldiers being held as hostages in the Gaza Strip, and some were presumed to be dead.
“Women, children, elderly, disabled” civilians were reported to have been abducted and forcefully taken into Gaza. The same spokesperson confirmed the kidnapping of a significant number of Israelis, including both civilians and military personnel, by Hamas in Gaza.
Adding to this, Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida declared that they had taken “dozens of captive officers and soldiers.” He further elaborated that these hostages had been placed securely in “safe places” and within the “resistance tunnels” located in the Gaza Strip.
Saleh al-Arouri, the deputy head of Hamas’ so called political wing, during his conversation with Al Jazeera, proclaimed that Hamas had successfully “managed to kill and capture many Israeli soldiers.”
He also claimed the number of Israeli hostages they had abducted was large enough to negotiate the release of all Palestinian combatants who are presently under Israeli custody.
In the wake of these events, the U.S. Embassy in Israel released a wimpy and weak statement on Saturday saying they’re in the process of “closely monitoring” the developing situation.
The embassy released a statement acknowledging the casualties resulting from the incidents.
It further advised U.S. citizens to remain vigilant and enhance their security awareness, especially considering mortar and rocket attacks can occur unexpectedly and at any moment.
The statement also included a restriction, prohibiting U.S. government personnel from traveling within a seven-mile radius of Gaza.
Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of the safety and security of any American held hostage, claiming it as a top priority for the current administration.
Finally, U.S. President Joe Biden expressed his commitment to supporting Israel during these trying times. He reiterated Washington’s readiness to provide “all appropriate means of support” to Israel after the “horrific and ongoing attacks.”
Biden ended his statement by condemning the assaults on Israel by the “Hamas terrorists from Gaza.”
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