American death toll after Hamas terror attack on Israel rises to 25

Speaking from Tel Aviv on Thursday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the death toll of Americans killed in Israel by Hamas terrorists has risen to 25.

"Tragically, the number of innocent lives claimed by Hamas’s heinous attacks continues to rise," Blinken said during a press conference alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to The Hill. "Among those, we now know that at least 25 American citizens were killed."

"We joined families in Israel in the United States around the world in mourning their immeasurable loss," he added.

US officials have been working with Israel on the release of the more than 100 hostages that were taken from Israel, with some Americans believed to be part of this group. 

Blinken confirmed that military support from the US has arrived in Israel, and pledged to continue adapting the support to the needs of Israel. The US has sent hostage experts to advise Israeli Defense Forces, and has placed US special operations forces in Europe on alert.

"As Israel’s defense needs evolve, we will work with Congress to make sure that they’re met," he said. "And I can tell you, there is overwhelming, overwhelming bipartisan support in our Congress for Israel’s security."

Blinken also stressed comments made by Biden earlier in the week, stating, "We will reaffirm the crystal-clear warning that President Biden issued yesterday to any adversary, state or non state, thinking of taking advantage of the current crisis to attack Israel: Don’t. The United States has Israel’s back."

On Wednesday, the State Department said that at least 17 Americans are unaccounted for, with Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council John Kirby stating in a White House press conference that "less than a handful" of those 17 are believed to have been taken hostage, but added that "we may, in fact, find out that more Americans are part of the hostage pool."

Blinken came under fire earlier in the week after posting a call for a cease-fire, with a since-deleted tweet stating "Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and I spoke further on Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel. I encouraged Turkey’s advocacy for a cease-fire and the release of all hostages held by Hamas immediately."