Biden also warned that American citizens may be among those being held hostage by the militant group Hamas.
“As we continue to account for the horrors of the appalling terrorist assault against Israel this weekend and the hundreds of innocent civilians who were murdered, we are seeing the immense scale and reach of this tragedy,” Biden said in a statement.
“Sadly, we now know that at least 11 American citizens were among those killed — many of whom made a second home in Israel.”
U.S. officials are still working to confirm whether Americans are among those being held by Hamas, but said “it is likely” that is the case.
“I have directed my team to work with their Israeli counterparts on every aspect of the hostage crisis,” Biden said.
John Kirby, a White House spokesperson on national security issues, said later Monday many Americans are still unaccounted for, but can’t confirm Hamas is holding Americans hostage.
More than 1,000 people have died since Hamas, a militant group that controls Gaza, launched attacks against Israel.
The assault triggering a response by Israeli forces, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that Israel is “at war” with Hamas.
Biden has spoken multiple times with Netanyahu since the attacks first unfolded, and he met earlier Monday with his national security team.
The president has vowed to assist Israel as it deals with the fallout of the attacks. The U.S. has already repositioned military assets in the region and sent some munitions to Israel.
Read the full report at TheHill.com.
