Following Hamas’ unprecedented onslaught against Israel on Sunday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the United States is “working overtime” to confirm allegations of missing and dead Americans abroad.
Several Americans have been reported dead. We’re putting in extra hours to make sure of it. Blinken also told AWN’s Dana Bash on “State of the Union” that the government is working to verify allegations of missing Americans.
Later on Sunday, Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer confirmed to Bash that among the “scores” of captives being held in Gaza, there are American citizens.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised vengeance after the massive surprise attack by Gaza terrorists on Israel on Saturday, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Israelis, and the Israeli military responded with a deadly barrage of airstrikes.
The exact scope of Israel’s retaliation is now unknown. A military official for Israel has hinted that the country may try to retake full control of Gaza for the first time since 2005, and over twenty towns are being evacuated due to its proximity.
Blinken said Sunday might be a possible announcement date for further help to Israel in the wake of the incident.
We’re looking at particular new requests the Israelis have made, and I expect to share more details about that later today, Blinken said.
American Secretary of State John Kerry said that President Joe Biden has ordered the United States to “make sure that we’re providing Israel everything it needs in this moment to deal with the attacks from Hamas.”
On Saturday, Vice President Biden said the United States’ commitment to Israel’s security is “rock solid and unwavering.”
The United States stands with the people of Israel in the face of these terrorist attacks, as I assured Prime Minister Netanyahu this morning. Israel has the absolute right to protect itself and its citizens, he declared.
In spite of this, the president and his closest advisors are dealing with a diplomatic scenario that is more complex than any prior war between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
Republican contenders have been critical of the Biden administration, with frontrunner for the GOP nomination former President Donald Trump saying that Biden “betrayed Israel” by unfreezing Iranian cash.
However, Blinken reaffirmed on Sunday that the unfrozen humanitarian monies have not been used.
“So either people are misinformed or they’re misinforming,” he said. And in either case, it’s unethical.
