Biden Issues Statement on Americans Killed by Hamas

President Joe Biden (D) issued a statement regarding Americans killed in the conflict of Israel. Over the weekend, Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing, injuring, and kidnapping Israelis. In response, President Biden has affirmed that the United States remains committed to standing by Israel during the war.

Among the casualties in Israel are 11 U.S. citizens, and President Biden has shared that there are an unknown number of Americans that are still missing.

In a statement, President Biden commented on the terrorist attack, saying “that at least 11 American citizens were among those killed – many of whom made a second home in Israel.”

He noted that the U.S. government is working closely with Israeli officials to recognize the American citizens that are unaccounted for. Commenting that the safety of American citizens, both abroad and at home, is his top priority, the president said that “it is likely that American citizens may be among those being held by Hamas.”

“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 informed.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, while speaking to CNN’s Dana Bash on “State of the Union” over the weekend, informed that the U.S. was “working overtime” to verify reports of missing and dead Americans. Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer further warned that Americans are part of the “scores” of hostages that are being held in Gaza.

Affirming that the American people are unwavering in their resolve to oppose terrorism, Biden called the State of Israel and the U.S. “inseparable partners,” and he mentioned that the U.S. is committed to making sure that “Israel has what it needs to defend itself and its people.”