At least nine Americans have tragically lost their lives, and others remain unaccounted for after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel over the weekend, according to the State Department. The death toll has increased from the initial count of four Americans. The exact number of missing Americans is still uncertain, with estimates ranging from six to twelve individuals. It remains unclear whether the missing citizens are among those held hostage, deceased, or in hiding.
The State Department is actively communicating with the affected families and providing appropriate consular assistance. The identities of the deceased American citizens have not yet been disclosed.
Hamas’ unprecedented attack on Saturday has resulted in over 1,000 casualties on both sides. The Islamist group’s fighters killed approximately 800 Israelis, injured around 2,000, and abducted numerous individuals during their assault on Israeli towns. This attack represents the deadliest onslaught witnessed by Israel in over 50 years.
Furthermore, a tragic massacre occurred at the Tribe of Nova music festival in Israel, where at least 260 people lost their lives after heavily armed Palestinian terrorists paraglided across the Gaza Strip border. In response, Israel launched a counterattack on Gaza, resulting in hundreds of Palestinian casualties.
In response to the escalating crisis, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the Ford carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean to be prepared to assist Israel. The USS Gerald R. Ford, the Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier, along with its complement of approximately 5,000 sailors and warplanes, will be joined by cruisers and destroyers as a show of force.
Additionally, the Biden administration is expediting the provision of additional equipment and resources, including munitions, to the Israel Defense Forces in support of their efforts.
Meanwhile, the non-profit organization Project DYNAMO is deploying a team of U.S. veterans to Israel to assist in freeing trapped Americans. The group, comprising special operations and intelligence community veterans, as well as civilian volunteers, has received numerous requests for assistance. They are actively monitoring the situation, collecting intelligence, and preparing to deploy an American operations team to supplement assets already on the ground.
Bryan Stern, CEO and founder of Project DYNAMO emphasized the urgent nature of the situation, stating that there are likely many more individuals who require assistance than initially reported.
Source: With agencies