A mother who shielded her son from gunfire, a “pro-peace” academic, young people at a musical festival and a pair of brothers are among at least 32 Americans killed in the warfare between Israel and Hamas, family members and officials say.
“Mom and Dad, they sacrificed their lives to save me,” 16-year-old Israeli American Rotem Matias told CNN of two of the victims killed after the Gaza-based militant group launched a devastating attack on Israel early October 7, leaving at least 1,400 dead.
Miller did not say how many of the unaccounted for are believed to be held hostage by Hamas, but said securing their release remains a top priority and “that work is ongoing.”
In response to the attacks, Israel has pounded Gaza with airstrikes. More than 3,500 people have been killed in Gaza, including at least 1,500 children, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza. More than 12,500 others have been wounded.
It’s unclear whether any US citizens are among those killed or injured in Gaza, and medical care has been hampered by Israel cutting power to Gaza.
As families in the US wait for information about their missing loved ones, others are confronted with the sudden loss of siblings, children or parents.
