(LibertySociety.com) – The deadly attack launched against Israel by Hamas terrorists has resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,600 people as of October 10. So far, 14 American citizens have lost their lives.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu officially declared war shortly after the barrage began. World leaders have united behind Israel, including President Biden, President Emmanuel Macron of France, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom. The leaders issued a joint statement on October 9, condemning the actions of Hamas. They also pledged to “support Israel in its efforts to defend itself and its people against such atrocities.”
President Biden announced on October 9 that there were more Americans in Israel who have not been located yet, which could be an indicator that the death toll will climb higher. Biden also said that some Americans could also be hostages of Hamas. An American woman named Deborah Matias was killed by terrorists while shielding her son from the gunfire. Her husband, Shlomi Matias was also killed. Their son, Romi Matias, sustained injuries but made it out of the attack alive. Hayim Katsman, an Israeli-American scholar who was doing research while living in Israel, was shot and killed while hiding in a closet with his neighbor. A 34-year-old Israeli-American woman named Danielle Ben Senor has not been heard from since October 6. She was working at the Nova music festival, which was held close to the border between Israel and Gaza.
Other Americans who are unaccounted for include Judith Raanan and Natali Raanan, who were visiting family that live a little over a mile from Gaza. A family member said that he was fearful they had been taken hostage because of their proximity to the military base that was taken over by Hamas during the attacks. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported on October 10 that they had sealed the border and taken back control of the area.
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