Americans are among the “scores” of hostages currently being held by the Islamic terror group Hamas after its unprecedented attack on Israel over the weekend, Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer said during an Oct. 8 appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” program.
On Oct. 7, Iran-linked terrorists in the Gaza Strip launched a surprise attack on Israel, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to vow revenge, declaring war on the Islamic terrorist group. More than 600 people in Israel have died since the attack, according to Mr. Dermer.
The U.S. State Department is working to investigate reports that Americans were among those killed in the attack, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the program.
He told CNN anchor Dana Bash that the State Department is aware of the reports and said the government is “working overtime” to corroborate those claims.
“Yes, we have reports that several Americans were killed,” Mr. Blinken said. “We’re working overtime to verify that.”
U.S. officials told reporters Sunday night that lawmakers have been told by the White House National Security Council in an unclassified briefing that four Americans have been killed in Hamas’s terror attacks on Israel, with that number expected to rise.
Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel represents the largest foreign attack on the state in decades.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed on Oct. 8 about the situation in Israel, according to a statement by the White House. Following the briefing, President Biden “directed additional support for Israel in the face of this unprecedented terrorist assault by Hamas.”
Mr. Blinken also suggested that the United States will likely announce financial and military assistance in the near future.
US Lawmakers Condemn Attack
Following the attack, U.S. lawmakers were quick to condemn the aggression and declare continued U.S. support for Israel.“The United States must unequivocally stand with our ally Israel and their right to defend themselves from terrorism,” said Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who last week was ousted as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
“America stands with Israel,” Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), who’s serving as acting speaker until a leader to replace McCarthy is chosen, said in a statement.
“The vicious attack on our most sacred ally by Hamas terrorists cannot stand. The Israeli people have our unwavering support, and the Israeli government has every right to defend its citizens against this act of war.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) reiterated the sentiment in a statement.
“The loss of life in Israel as a result of the violent, calculated, and unprovoked attack by Hamas is heartbreaking,” Mr. Jeffries said in a statement.
“America stands firmly and unequivocally with Israel. We will strongly support Israel’s right to defend herself from this despicable attack that targeted civilians, including Israeli children, with rockets, gunfire, and violent kidnappings.
“The Congress must stand with Israel until the invasion by Hamas has been crushed and security in Southern Israel and throughout the country has been permanently restored.”
Because the U.S. House is currently without a speaker, that may be easier said than done. In his interim role, Mr. McHenry has very limited power and can’t bring legislation to the floor, meaning that congressional options to respond to the attack are limited until a new speaker is elected by a vote of the full House.
The two top prospects to be the next speaker of the House, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), have both expressed support for Israel.
“The United States will always stand with Israel, our greatest ally in the Middle East,” Mr. Scalise said in a statement. “They must defend themselves as their citizens are slaughtered by Hamas terrorists. They have our full support and our prayers.”
Likewise, Mr. Jordan said, “We must continue to support our great ally as it expels this invasion, overwhelms these extremists, and works to prevent Hamas from ever harming Israeli citizens again.”
