US reports at least 9 Americans dead in Hamas invasion of Israel
The front page of the State Department website on Oct. 9, 2023. (Screenshot)
WASHINGTON (JTA) — The U.S. State Department confirmed that there were at least nine Americans among the hundreds of people killed after Hamas invasion of Israel.
“At this time, we can confirm the deaths of nine U.S. citizens,” said a State Department statement released early Monday. “We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and to the families of all those affected.”
The front page of the State Department’s website on Monday morning was headlined “Israel Under Attack” with a link to information. “The United States unequivocally condemns the appalling attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israel,” the header said.
“We continue to monitor the situation closely and remain in touch with our Israeli partners and the local authorities,” the department’s statement said. “We are in touch with the families and providing all appropriate consular assistance.”
The death count after the invasion launched on Saturday is more than 800, according to Israeli authorities. Stories of Americans who were killed, wounded or abducted are just emerging.
Asked about American abductees, a U.S. embassy spokeswoman in Israel referred to remarks Sunday by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who said the department was looking into the reports.
Separately, President Joe Biden has spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and pledged U.S. support for Israel. Netanyahu told Biden on Sunday that Israel will launch a ground invasion of Gaza, saying “We have to go in,” according to Axios.
This article originally appeared on JTA.org.
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and the protests on college campuses.
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
Make a gift of any size and become a Forward member today. You’ll support our mission to tell the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
