The United States has been conducting a series of unarmed drone flights over Gaza in search of more than 200 hostages taken by Hamas, the Pentagon revealed on Friday.

The MQ-9 Reaper drones are searching for 240 hostages being held in the Gaza Strip, including 10 Americans who remain unaccounted for. It is not clear whether all 10 have been taken hostage.

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"In support of hostage recovery efforts, the U.S. is conducting unarmed [unmanned aerial vehicle] flights over Gaza, as well as providing advice and assistance to support our Israeli partner as they work on their hostage recovery efforts. These UAV flights began after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel," Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement.

The goal of using the drones is to assist in locating hostages, monitor for signs of life, and pass possible leads to the Israel Defense Forces, two defense officials told the New York Times. The flights, which are focused in southern Gaza, are not supporting Israeli military operations there. Dozens of U.S. commandos have also been sent to Israel to help advise on the hostage recovery efforts.

The U.S. has provided military aid to Israel, including ammunition and interceptors to replenish the Iron Dome, among other weapons. President Joe Biden authorized the deployment of 300 more troops to the Middle East to serve as a deterrent against other countries in the region considering entering the war. U.S. officials did not specify what part of the region the troops would be located in.

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The fight between Israel and Hamas began on Oct. 7, when Hamas launched an unprecedented attack against Israel on one of Israel's holiest days. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths on both sides of the war.

U.S. defense leaders have rejected calls for a ceasefire between the two sides but have supported a "pause" in the firing to allow aid into Gaza and time to get innocent civilians out of the crossfire.