President Joe Biden has confirmed that over ten American citizens tragically lost their lives in the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks in Israel. The revelation comes in a tweet in which the president acknowledged the horrific scale of the tragedy that unfolded in Israel over the weekend.
“As we continue to account for the horrors of the terrorist assault against Israel this weekend and the hundreds of civilians murdered, we are seeing the immense scale and reach of this tragedy. Sadly, we now know that at least 11 American citizens were among those killed,” he wrote.
Accompanying his words was a poignant black-and-white photograph capturing a moment in which Biden met with key figures in his administration, including National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer.
As we continue to account for the horrors of the terrorist assault against Israel this weekend and the hundreds of civilians murdered, we are seeing the immense scale and reach of this tragedy.
Sadly, we now know that at least 11 American citizens were among those killed. pic.twitter.com/64GmhuoRob
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 9, 2023
“It’s heart-wrenching. These families have been torn apart by inexcusable hatred and violence, and my heart goes out to every family impacted. The pain these families have endured, the enormity of their loss, and the agony of those still awaiting information is unfathomable,” another post on the thread reads.
It’s heart-wrenching.
These families have been torn apart by inexcusable hatred and violence, and my heart goes out to every family impacted.
The pain these families have endured, the enormity of their loss, and the agony of those still awaiting information is unfathomable.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 9, 2023
Addressing the security of American citizens, Biden expressed his commitment, saying, “The safety of American citizens is my top priority. We are still working to confirm but believe it is likely that American citizens may be among those being held by Hamas. I’ve directed my team to work with their Israeli counterparts on every aspect of the hostage crisis.”
The safety of American citizens is my top priority.
We are still working to confirm but believe it is likely that American citizens may be among those being held by Hamas.
I've directed my team to work with their Israeli counterparts on every aspect of the hostage crisis.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 9, 2023
The revelation of Americans being held hostage by Hamas raised grave concerns, especially as the political and militant organization threatened to broadcast executions on live television, reminiscent of the horrifying ISIS beheadings from 2015.
The president’s statement followed criticism over his participation in a BBQ event with live music on Sunday evening, despite the prior reports of American casualties and hostages.
While the specific number of American hostages is unknown, some other foreign nationals also fell victim to the relentless onslaught. Twelve Thai nationals lost their lives, while eleven were taken hostage and eight sustained injuries. A German-Israeli citizen was believed to have been killed, as footage showed terrorists transporting her lifeless body across the border. Canada, too, felt the pain as one of its citizens was confirmed dead, while two others remain missing.
Meanwhile, major U.S. airlines, including American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, have suspended flights to Israel after the US State Department issued travel advisories for the region due to potential terrorism and civil unrest.
