At least four Americans were killed in Hamas’ surprise terrorist attack on Israel near the Gaza border, officials said Sunday.
Several other US citizens are still missing, according to an internal US government memo obtained by CNN.
The identities of the four dead Americans have not yet been made public.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed early Sunday that his office was working to verify the number of Americans dead and missing in Israel after Hamas coordinated several attacks at the border site.
“Yes, we have reports that several Americans were killed. “We are working overtime to verify that,” Blinken told CNN’s “State of the Union.”
“At the same time, there are reports of missing Americans and, once again, we are working to verify those reports,” he added without giving an estimate.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed on Sunday that the United States supports Israel as the Middle Eastern nation fights the largest military conflict it has faced in five decades.REUTERS
The US Embassy in Jerusalem had issued an order for Americans to “shelter in place” during Saturday’s assault, and the office updated its contingency plans “for any possible evacuation by land or air.”
More than 700 Israelis were killed and more than 2,000 wounded in the “war,” and the Israeli Prime Minister’s office added that more than 100 people have been taken hostage by the terrorist group.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that Israel will take “powerful revenge” against Hamas. ZUMAPRESS.com
Israel has since officially declared war and launched retaliatory attacks against Palestine, which have also resulted in civilian casualties.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, some 370 Palestinians have died and another 1,990 are missing.
Blinken said the United States will support its ally Israel to defend against Hamas, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also announced Sunday that the United States will provide additional equipment and resources to the Israel Defense Forces.
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