Biden Says at Least 11 Americans Among Those Killed in Israel, Warns of Hostages

President Biden on Monday announced that the number of Americans killed in terrorist attacks against Israel had risen to 11, and he warned that American citizens may be among those being held hostage by the militant group Hamas.

“As we continue to account for the horrors of the appalling terrorist assault against Israel this weekend and the hundreds of innocent civilians who were murdered, we are seeing the immense scale and reach of this tragedy,” Biden said in a statement. “Sadly, we now know that at least 11 American citizens were among those killed — many of whom made a second home in Israel.”

U.S. officials are still working to confirm whether Americans are among those being held by Hamas, but said “it is likely” that is the case. “I have directed my team to work with their Israeli counterparts on every aspect of the hostage crisis, including sharing intelligence and deploying experts from across the United States government to consult with and advise Israeli counterparts on hostage recovery efforts,” Biden said.

John Kirby, a White House spokesperson on national security issues, told reporters on a call later Monday that the administration can’t confirm Hamas is holding Americans hostage, but that there are still many Americans who are unaccounted for.

“So I can’t say definitely that we know Americans are being held hostage,” Kirby said. “That said, we have to accept the grim possibility that some are.” (Read more from “Biden Says at Least 11 Americans Among Those Killed in Israel, Warns of Hostages” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

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