2023-11-03 16:07:13
The United States is conducting unarmed drone flights over Gaza to assist in efforts to locate and free Hamas hostages kidnapped during the bloody October 7 attack in Israel, the Pentagon said Friday .
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“In support of hostage release efforts, the United States is conducting unarmed drone flights over Gaza, and providing advice and assistance to our Israeli partner,” Pentagon spokesperson said. General Pat Ryder, in a statement.
“These drone flights began following the October 7 attack by Hamas in Israel,” he said.
According to Israeli authorities, at least 240 hostages, Israelis, dual nationals and foreigners, are still in the hands of Hamas.
They were kidnapped on October 7 when commandos from the Palestinian Islamist movement infiltrated southern Israel from the Gaza Strip, carrying out the deadliest attack since the creation of Israel in 1948.
More than 1,400 people, mainly civilians, were killed in this attack, according to Israeli authorities.
Since the attack, Israel has relentlessly shelled the Gaza Strip. 9,227 people, including 3,826 children, were killed in Israeli strikes on the territory, according to a report published Friday by Hamas.
The latter announced Wednesday that seven hostages had been killed in an Israeli bombing. He estimated on October 26 that “nearly 50” hostages had been killed in Israeli raids.
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