Americans Reportedly Killed or Taken Hostage in Israel-Hamas Conflict as U.S. Works to Verify Reports

The United States is actively working to verify reports that several Americans may have been killed or taken hostage in the Israel-Hamas conflict, according to Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Hamas fighters launched an attack on Israel through the country's south, resulting in the death of hundreds of people and the capture of civilians and soldiers. Blinken confirmed that there are reports indicating U.S. citizens may be among the dead and hostages, and efforts are underway to verify these reports. The Israeli ambassador to the U.S., Michael Herzog, also indicated that Americans are among the hostages, although specific details were not provided.

When asked about Iran's involvement in the attack, Blinken acknowledged its long-standing relationship with Hamas but stated that the Biden administration does not have any evidence of its direct involvement. However, he emphasized that they are carefully examining the facts to determine the extent of Iran's role. The attack occurred amid talks among the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and Israel about normalizing relations, which some speculate may have motivated the attack. Blinken suggested that those opposed to the talks, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, could have been motivated to derail efforts towards normalization.

There have been claims made by Republican presidential candidates that the Biden administration funded the attacks through a prisoner exchange deal with Iran. However, Blinken stated that these claims are baseless and that the funds released were Iranian resources meant for humanitarian purposes. He emphasized that not a single cent has been spent on anything other than medical supplies, food, and medicine. He further argued that Iran has always prioritized supporting terrorism and groups like Hamas, regardless of whether there were sanctions or not.

Meanwhile, Blinken called on Congress to express bipartisan support for Israel in this conflict and urged them to take a clear stance in favor of the country. He emphasized the need to prioritize Israeli security and work towards preventing similar attacks in the future. The U.S. is also considering Israeli requests for additional military aid, with an announcement expected to be made soon. President Joe Biden has offered support to Israel and its government, assuring them that the U.S. is ready to provide any necessary assistance. Blinken reiterated the U.S. commitment to verifying reports of American casualties and hostages and expressed condolences for the lives lost in the conflict. He underscored the importance of avoiding civilian casualties while acknowledging that there is no comparison to Hamas's deliberate targeting of civilians.