Americans among hostages taken by Hamas, Israeli ambassador says

Americans are among the hostages taken into Gaza by Hamas, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Herzog confirmed Sunday.

“I understand there, but I don’t have details,” Herzog said during an interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”

Hamas, the Islamist militant group that controls the Gaza Strip, launched an unprecedented attack on Israel early Saturday morning, killing hundreds and kidnapping others. The massive incursion came a day after Israel marked the 50th anniversary of the surprise invasion on Yom Kippur, up until now the worst surprise attacks Israel has been subject to.

The Saturday morning incursion caught Israel and its allies completely by surprise, as Hamas fired a barrage of rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel and dozens of heavily armed gunmen mowed down a barrier along Israel’s southern border; some also entered by air and sea. Israel began tracking down the invaders and then launching retaliatory air strikes on targets in Gaza shortly after.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday morning that it was likely that Americans were among those killed and kidnapped.

“We have reports that several Americans were killed; we’re working overtime to verify that. At the same time, there are reports of missing Americans and, there again, we’re working to verify those reports,” Blinken said during an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union.”