Live Update From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
17 Americans missing or held hostage; Hamas said to promise not to hurt dual citizens
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says 17 American citizens remain unaccounted for, possibly because they are being held hostage in Gaza.
This is the first time that the White House has provided a number regarding the number of unaccounted-for Americans.
National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby confirms that Americans are being held by Hamas.
Israel’s Channel 12 news quotes Al-Arabiya reporting that Egypt has received an assurance from Hamas that it will not harm hostages with foreign citizenship or dual citizenship.