No intention to put US boots on ground in 'Israel-Hamas war': Kirby

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
10 Oct 2023 04:21
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US President Joe Biden says at least 11 American citizens were among those killed in the Palestinian Resistance's operation against the Israeli occupation.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, in Washington (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

US President Joe Biden said Monday that 11 Americans are dead and others are likely captured by Hamas.

Biden said that Washington, which has moved its biggest aircraft carrier and other warships closer to occupied Palestinian territory in a show of support to the Israeli occupation, was working with its key ally on "hostage recovery efforts."

"We now know that at least 11 American citizens were among those killed," Biden said in a statement after meeting his national security team at the White House.

"While we are still working to confirm, we believe it is likely that American citizens may be among those being held by Hamas," he added.

Biden was due to deliver further remarks on what he described as "terrorist attacks in Israel" on Tuesday, the White House said.

A senior US defense official said Monday that the Israelis held by the Palestinian Resistance were the subject of intense engagement with the Israelis.

"There are continual conversations across the US government with all of our Israeli counterparts about the situation of hostages that Hamas is holding in Gaza," the official told journalists.

The White House said that while it was sending fresh military aid to "Israel", there was no question for now of the United States interfering in the confrontation.

"There's no intention to put US boots on the ground," National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby told reporters.

Kirby said that there was no "hard or tangible evidence" linking Iran to the Palestinian Resistance's operation, even if there was a "degree of complicity" due to Tehran's alleged support for the movement.

Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak issued a joint statement saying they "support Israel in its efforts to defend itself," the White House said.

An initial version of the statement from the French presidency warned Iran not to "spread the conflict beyond Gaza," but the reference to the Islamic Republic, which did not appear in the White House or Downing Street versions, was later removed.

Earlier, the military spokesperson for Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, announced that every Israeli targeting of a Palestinian home in Gaza without prior warning will be "regrettably" met by executing an Israeli captive.

He added that the execution process will be broadcast in both audio and video, explaining that this decision came after the Israeli enemy committed several massacres against safe children, women, and the elderly in their homes.

The Resistance is so far acting in accordance with Islamic rulings by keeping the Israeli captives safe and sound, Abu Obeida stressed.

This comes on the third day of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood the Palestinian Resistance launched against Israeli occupation crimes and violations.

On Saturday, Palestinian Resistance fighters from the Gaza Strip managed to successfully cross into Gaza Envelope settlements, causing fatalities among Israeli occupation forces and settlers, as well as capturing over 150 Israelis and transferring them to the Strip.

The number of Israelis killed during Operation Al-Aqsa Flood has risen to more than 900, Israeli media revealed on Monday, adding that injuries have now surpassed 2,600.

However, the news outlets emphasized that the announced death toll is far from the actual numbers as large areas of Gaza Envelope settlements remain unreachable. Previous Israeli news reports said the number of killed Israelis was between 800-1,000 at least.

This comes after Israeli Maariv newspaper reported that over 100 Israeli settlers' bodies were found in the "Be'eri" settlement near Gaza.

According to Yedioth Ahronoth, the latest figures suggest that the number of Israelis killed has reached 1,000, adding that this number includes 73 soldiers, five of whom are from the Israeli elite Golani Brigade.

The newspaper pointed out that the number of captives held by the Palestinian Resistance exceeds 150 as per a previous Israeli estimate.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Ministry of Health announced that Palestinian medical teams have received in hospitals so far 687 martyrs, including 140 children and 105 women, and 3,726 wounded with multiple injuries.

The Ministry explained that the Israeli occupation committed massacres against 13 families, which led to the martyrdom of 105 of their members, a large number of whom are still under the rubble.

It further added that the Israeli occupation expanded the targeting of medical personnel, health facilities, and ambulances, which caused the martyrdom of five health personnel and the injury of 10 others with multiple injuries. Seven hospitals and health centers were also targeted, causing direct damage to large parts of them.

Earlier, Al Mayadeen's correspondent in occupied Palestine reported that more than 90 children were killed at the hands of the IOF since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, which has been ongoing for days.