11 Americans Killed In Israel — And More ‘Likely’ Held Hostage, White House Says

Forbes Business Breaking 11 Americans Killed In Israel — And More ‘Likely’ Held Hostage, White House Says William Skipworth Forbes Staff I am a breaking news reporter. Following Oct 9, 2023, 05:10pm EDT | Press play to listen to this article! Got it! Updated Oct 9, 2023, 06:06pm EDT Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline President Joe Biden said Monday that 11 American citizens were killed during the attacks on Israel by Hamas, and additional Americans are “likely” among the hostages Hamas has taken. Key Facts More Americans remain “unaccounted for” and the government is working with Israeli officials to learn more about their wellbeing and whereabouts, Biden said in a statement .

Biden said many of the American citizens who were killed had “made a second home in Israel” and described their deaths as “heart wrenching. ” Additionally, the White House believes it is likely American citizens are among the scores of civilians Hamas has taken hostage, but it is still working to confirm. Biden said he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday and told him the U.

S. “will continue to make sure Israel has what it needs to defend itself and its people. ” Biden also said he’s ordered his team to assist Israeli officials in this crisis, including by sharing intelligence and deploying government experts.

Key Background On Saturday, Hamas fighters entered southern Israel from Gaza—which has been under a strict blockade and immigration controls from Israel for over 15 years—and proceeded to kill and take hostage scores of civilians while rockets were launched into the country, multiple news organizations on the ground reported. Israel responded by bombing Gaza from the air, and Israel’s Defense Minister said Monday that Israel will cut off all supplies to the Gaza Strip as part of a “full siege” on the Palestinian territory, adding there will be “no power, no food, no gas. ” At least 1.

200 have been reported dead, and the two sides have continued to trade rockets and airstrikes. The weekend marks the deadliest attack on Israel since the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Biden and the White House have strongly condemned the attacks, describing them as an “appalling assault” and saying, “My Administration’s support for Israel’s security is rock solid and unwavering” in a statement Saturday.

Tangent The Biden Administration has been quick with its support for Israel. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on Sunday he was ordering the USS Gerald R. Ford, the U.

S. Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier, to sail to the eastern Mediterranean and be ready to assist Israel. State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said the first batch of military shipments from the U.

S. since the attacks were sent to Israel on Sunday, and are expected to arrive “in the coming days. ” Biden reportedly plans to convene a call Monday afternoon with leaders from the U.

K. , Germany, France and Italy, which comprises the so-called quint decision-making group, to discuss a coordinated response to the attacks, CNN reported, citing anonymous officials. Surprising Fact One of the first places Hamas attacked Saturday was an outdoor concert and dance party near the Israel-Gaza border.

Many of the party-goers were taken hostage. Rescuers recovered 260 bodies from the festival grounds and the death toll is expected rise, ZAKA, an Israeli non-governmental rescue and recovery organization, told multiple outlets Sunday. Further Reading Hamas Takes Israeli Soldiers, Civilians As Prisoners Of War (Forbes) At Least 9 Americans Killed In Hamas Attack On Israel—Total Deaths Eclipse 1,200 (Forbes) ‘No Electricity, No Food, No Fuel’: Israel Orders ‘Complete Siege’ On Gaza Strip (Forbes) Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn .

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