Washington officials confirmed that 9 US citizens were killed in Hamas's attacks into southern Israel over the weekend.
In a statement on Monday (October 9), a spokesperson for the National Security Council said they have confirmed the death of nine US citizens.
"We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and to the families of all those affected, and wish those injured a speedy recovery,' the statement added. "We continue to monitor the situation closely and remain in touch with our Israeli partners, particularly the local authorities."
Additionally, US State Department spokesperson Matt Miller told reporters that US authorities are in close contact with their Israeli counterparts and the families of those affected by the attack.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US was "working overtime" to verify reports of missing or dead Americans, while Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer said that Americans were among the "scores" of hostages Hamas brought back to Gaza.
On the other hand, a senior US official told CNN on the condition of anonymity that Qatar, who has been critical of Israel, has been in talks with Hamas regarding the hostages they have, and that both Blinken and Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf have been coordinating with the Qataris about the matter.
Updates on the Front Lines
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on Sunday (October 8) that the aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford and her carrier strike group of a guided missile cruiser and four Arleigh Burke-class destroyers have been ordered to sail for the eastern Mediterranean near Israel as a deterrence measure.
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has ordered what he called a "complete siege" of the Gaza strip, depriving the Palestinian settlement of food, water, and fuel supplies to its 2.3 million people in addition to a barrage of airstrikes in retaliation of Hamas's incursion into southern Israel.
In the hours and days following the attack, Israel called the incursion its version of 9/11, formally declared a state of war, and called out its reserves to repel further Hamas attacks in the breach points as well as to prevent a Hezbollah attack from the north, the Associated Press reported.