Israel war live updates: 10 Americans remain unaccounted for after Oct. 7 Hamas attack, Blinken says
By Kaydi Pelletier,
David Spector,
Richard Pollina and
Steven Nelson
Updated Oct. 20, 2023, 4:10 p.m. ET
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is speaking now following the release of two American hostages by Hamas.
“There are still 10 additional Americans who remain unaccounted for in this conflict,” Blinken said in a speech Friday afternoon. “We know that some of them are being held hostage by Hamas, along with an estimated 200 other hostages held in Gaza.”
Hamas terrorists released an American mother and daughter Friday, after kidnapping the pair and an estimated 200 other hostages nearly two weeks ago.
People should be careful not to trust Hamas’ “humanitarian” angle on releasing the Judith Raanan and her teenage daughter Natalie, a former FBI agent and hostage team expert told The Post.
“They are doing this for calculated reasons,” Christopher O’Leary insisted.
“Hamas does not have a humanitarian bone in their body. … they are playing a long game with the hostages,” he said.
Most of the Israelis kidnapped by Hamas are still alive, according to multiple reports Friday sourcing Israeli Defense Forces. The IDF said more than 20 of the hostages are younger than 18, and that 10-20 of them are older than 60.
After nearly two weeks of war in Israel, at least 3,000 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis have been killed, according to the latest reported death tolls.
NYPost
