Hamas has threatened to kill one hostage for every Israeli airstrike “targeting innocent civilians,” a spokesperson for the terrorist organization said Monday, two days into the devastating war on Israel.
At least nine Americans have been killed and others remain missing after Hamas launched its surprise attack on Israel, a National Security Council spokesman told CNN on Monday.
Israel is striking back against Hamas in the Gaza Strip after the terrorist group launched the worst attack on the Jewish nation in 50 years, in the early morning hours of Oct. 7.
An estimated 700 Israelis have been killed, more than 2,000 are wounded, and 150 are confirmed to have been taken captive by Hamas since the war began Saturday.
Israel-Hamas war: How we got here
2005: Israel unilaterally withdraws from the Gaza Strip more than three decades after winning the territory from Egypt in the Six-Day War.
2006: Terrorist group Hamas wins a Palestinian legislative election.
2007: Hamas seizes control of Gaza in a civil war.
2008: Israel launches military offensive against Gaza after Palestinian terrorists fired rockets into the town of Sderot.
2023: Hamas launches the biggest attack on Israel in 50 years, in an early-morning ambush Oct. 7, firing thousands of rockets and sending dozens of militants into Israeli towns.
Terrorists killed more than 1,200 Israelis, wounded more than 4,200, and took at least 200 hostage.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to announce, “We are at war,” and vowed Hamas would pay “a price it has never known.”
The Gaza Health Ministry — which is controlled by Hamas — reported at least 3,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 12,500 injured since the war began.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Israelis that the war would be “long and difficult” but vowed to take “mighty vengeance” against Hamas.