President Joe Biden has expressed his anger as at least eleven Americans have been killed in the ongoing violent clashes between Israel and Palestine. The surprise attack launched by Palestinian militants in Israel has entered its third day.
In a statement, President Biden described the deaths as heartbreaking and the result of a horrifying terrorist attack against Israel. The United States believes that American citizens are being held as hostages by the Hamas militant group and is working with Israel to resolve the hostage crisis.
The President emphasized the personal nature of the attack, stating that the close ties between Israel and the United States make it deeply impactful for many American families who are feeling the pain of this assault.
Although the identities of the Americans killed have not yet been released, it is uncertain if any of them are from New York, where a significant Jewish population of about 1.6 million resides. As a precautionary measure, there was increased police presence at synagogues in New York City.
Several major U.S. airlines have canceled flights to and from Israel due to the ongoing conflict. Additionally, more than 50 New York residents are seeking to return from Israel, as reported by Rep. Grace Meng’s office.
The State Department is in contact with the families of the deceased Americans, providing them with support and assistance during this difficult time.
The conflict between Israel and Palestine has already claimed the lives of over 1,300 individuals. Israel has reported approximately 700 casualties, while the Palestinian Health Ministry states that the death toll on their side is 687.