Several U.S. citizens were killed in the onslaught of attacks from Palestinian group Hamas over the weekend while some remain unaccounted for, the White House National Security Council (NSC) confirmed Sunday.
A spokesperson for the NSC said the agency can confirm the deaths of “several” U.S. citizens, but did not provide a specific number.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and to the families of all those affected, and wish those injured a speedy recovery,” the spokesperson wrote in a statement shared with The Hill.
NSC said it is monitoring the situation closely and “remain[s] in touch” with its Israeli partners and local authorities.
The spokesperson also said there are American citizens that remain unaccounted for, adding the NSC is “closely monitoring information” about those hostages taken by Hamas.
Hamas, the militant and political group that rules Gaza, launched the largest attack on Israel in decades early Saturday, sending forces into multiple Israeli towns by land, air and sea, along with a barrage of rocket fire.
Over 1,100 people on both sides have died in the violence and thousands of others were wounded.
Earlier Sunday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken also told CNN’s “State of the Union” the agency has received reports that “several Americans” were killed as well as Americans who were kidnapped. Blinken said the agency is “working overtime” to verify these reports.
Hamas and Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad have captured a total of more than 130 individuals, including Israeli soldiers and civilians, as of Sunday night, according to The Associated Press.
Mousa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas official, told Arabic language news outlet al-Ghad the militant group has captured more than 100 people, per the AP.
This is in addition to the more than 30 people claimed to be held by the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad, according to Reuters.
In a statement shared by Reuters, Islamic Jihad chief Ziad al-Nakhala said the captives will not be repatriated “till all our prisoners are released,” in reference to thousands of Palestinians in Israeli prisons.
Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer said Sunday in an interview with CNN’s “State of the Union” there are “scores of hostages,” noting American hostages are part of this number. He did not disclose a specific number.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is at war against the Palestinian militants shortly after they launched the multi-pronged attack. Since then, Israel began its counteroffensive and launched a series of airstrikes in Gaza.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Sunday night it hit an estimated 653 Hamas targets so far.