At least nine Americans have been killed and others are still missing after a surprise weekend Hamas attack on Israel, the State Department said Monday — as a team of US veterans prepared to fly to help rescue trapped citizens.
“At this time, we can confirm the deaths of nine US citizens,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement – raising the initial death toll from four.
“We can confirm that there are unknown US citizens, and we are working with our Israeli partners to determine their location.”
It was not immediately clear how many Americans were still missing, although a US official said on Sunday that the number had not changed and ranged from six to 12 people.
It is not yet known whether the missing is among those who were taken hostage, killed or are still hiding.
The State Department is in contact with the family “and is providing all appropriate consular assistance,” Miller said.
The Americans killed in the conflict have not yet been identified by officials in the US.
At least nine Americans have been killed and another US citizen is still missing after Hamas launched a surprise weekend attack on Israel, officials said. Reuters
An unprecedented attack by Hamas on Saturday has left more than 1,000 dead on both sides.
Fighters from the Islamist group killed 800 Israelis, wounded about 2,000 and kidnapped dozens more when they attacked Israeli cities on Saturday – the deadliest attack the country has seen in 50 years.
At least 260 people were killed in a massacre at the Tribe of Nova music festival in Israel after heavily armed Palestinian terrorists paraglided across the Gaza border.
Israel responded to the sneak attack by pounding Gaza, killing hundreds of Palestinians.
The US embassy in Jerusalem has issued orders for Americans to “shelter in place” during Saturday’s attack, with the office updating its contingency plan “for any potential evacuation by land or air.”
Meanwhile, the non-profit Project DYNAMO said its US veterans were sending to Israel in a desperate bid to free trapped Americans after previously helping in Afghanistan.
Bryan Stern, the group’s CEO and founder, said his team has received hundreds of requests from Americans, their families and other allies who need help under the organization’s Operation: PROMISED LAND as Hamas continues to kidnap individuals.
“Maybe the real number is five, six, seven, or eight [times] who need help,” he told WUSF.
Follow The Post’s live blog for the latest news on Hamas attacks on Israel
The group – made up of special operations forces and veterans of the intelligence community, as well as civilian volunteers – has mobilized assets in the region and begun preparations for the emergency launch of its American Operations team for possible evacuation and hostage rescue operations.
Stern himself is heading to Israel to lead the operation.
President Biden addresses Hamas attacks on Israel. Yuri Gripas – Pool via CNP / MEGA
“We are aggressively monitoring this serious situation, gathering intelligence and accepting requests for assistance,” he said in a statement. “We will likely soon deploy American operational forces to augment our assets already operating on the ground.”
Following the bloodshed, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Sunday he had ordered the Ford carrier strike group to sail to the eastern Mediterranean to prepare to help Israel.
The worst attack on Israel in 50 years: How we got here
2005: Israel unilaterally withdraws from the Gaza Strip three decades after winning the territory from Egypt in the Six-Day War.
2006: The terrorist group Hamas wins Palestinian legislative elections.
2007: Hamas takes control of Gaza in a civil war.
2008: Israel launched a military offensive against Gaza after Palestinian terrorists fired rockets into the city of Sderot.
2023: Hamas launches its biggest attack on Israel in 50 years.
More than 700 Israelis died, more than 2,150 were injured and 100 were taken hostage, with the death toll expected to rise after Hamas terrorists fired thousands of rockets and sent dozens of militants into Israeli cities.
Hamas terrorists are seen taking women hostage and parading them through the streets in a gruesome video.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced “We are at war” and promised Hamas would pay an “unprecedented price.”
Gaza health officials reported at least 300 Palestinians killed with 2,200 injured.
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the Navy’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, and its approximately 5,000 sailors and warplane decks will be accompanied by cruisers and destroyers in the show of force.
“The US maintains ready forces around the world to further strengthen this deterrence posture if needed,” Austin said.
In addition, the Biden administration “will rapidly provide additional equipment and resources to the Israel Defense Forces, including ammunition. The first security assistance will start moving today and will arrive in the next few days,” said Austin.
With Postal wire
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
