AT least 27 United States of America citizens are confirmed to have been killed in the Israel-Hamas conflict and 14 remain unaccounted for.
U.S. citizens also are among the estimated 150 hostages captured by Hamas during its shocking weekend assault on Israel, which has left at least 2,600 people dead on both sides.
Netanyahu praised Blinken’s visit as a “tangible example of America’s unequivocal support of Israel.”
“President Biden was absolutely correct in calling this ‘sheer evil,'” Netanyahu said, referring to Hamas’ unprecedented attack.
Blinken said that he came before journalists “not just as secretary of state, but also a Jew” while recounting his own family’s history of surviving the Holocaust.
The Israeli government is under intense public pressure to topple Hamas after its militants stormed through a border fence Saturday and killed hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival.
In the Gaza Strip, meanwhile, residents are facing ever-growing uncertainty after the territory’s only power plant ran out of fuel and shut down Wednesday. Without power, communication is limited and information is scarce.
Egypt has engaged in intensive talks with Israel and the United States to allow the delivery of aid and fuel through its Rafah crossing point, which remained closed on both sides Thursday. However, Egypt pushed back against proposals to establish corridors out of Gaza, saying an exodus of Palestinians from the enclave would have grave consequences for the Palestinian cause.
Eighteen-Eleven Media