US readies special forces to aid Israeli hostage rescue
  • U.S. special forces in European countries near Israel put on alert
  • Pentagon: Special ops in Israel strategizing hostage rescue plan with IDF
  • 400K reservists have been called up by the Israeli military since Saturday

Joe KhalilUpdated: OCT 12, 2023 / 12:39 PM CDT

Warning: the following contains graphic descriptions of violence.

WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — The Biden administration is approaching the conflict to help Israel locate American hostages from two angles: providing military and material support to Israel and engaging in diplomatic efforts.

On the diplomatic front, Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv Thursday. His diplomatic security officers accompanied him wearing full body armor, indicating the seriousness of the situation, as he’s entering what can be considered a war zone.

Blinken met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and plans to meet with other senior Israeli officials.

He said the Israeli government shared photographs and videos in meetings including of a baby riddled with bullets, soldiers beheaded and young people burned alive in their cars or hideaways.

“It’s simply depravity in the worst imaginable way,” Blinken said during a news conference in Tel Aviv. “It’s really beyond anything that we can comprehend, digest.”

On Thursday, a source confirmed to NewsNation that the U.S. and Qatar have agreed to stop Iran from accessing $6 billion in funds unfrozen as part of a prisoner swap in September after some Republicans laid blame for the attack at Biden’s feet and urged him to freeze the funds.Options to evacuate Israel ‘not feasible’ for some: John Kirby 

During the news conference, Blinken said none of the funds have been spent or accessed.

Also on Thursday, the White House Spokesperson John Kirby announced the number of Americans killed in Israel had jumped to 27, and 14 were unaccounted for.

Blinken emphasized the United States’ strong support for Israel.

“You may be strong enough on your own to defend yourself. But as long as America exists, you will never ever have to. We will always be there by your side,” Blinken told Netanyahu.

Blinken is also scheduled to meet with American ally King Abdullah of Jordan and the leader of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, on Friday.

On the military front, Pentagon officials have confirmed that American special operations in Israel are currently working with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to plan and strategize for hostage rescue operations.

Additionally, American special forces like SEAL teams or Delta Force in nearby European countries are being placed on high alert, two senior U.S. military officials told The Messenger.

There hasn’t been much recent information regarding the Israeli hostages within Gaza. Biden has confirmed that there are Americans among that group. To bolster support for Israel and act as a deterrent against potential attacks, the U.S. is deploying its newest and most advanced aircraft carrier to the region.

Special episode: Chris Cuomo live in Israel 

It’s important to note that the Palestinian Authority is not a terrorist organization but a more moderate governing party within the Palestinian territory.

Both leaders have expressed their support for Palestinian civilians and hope for a diplomatic and peaceful resolution to the conflict, distancing themselves from Hamas.

Israel has drafted 400,000 reservists in response to a multi-front Hamas attack from Gaza and is “going on the offensive,” Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the chief military spokesperson, said Monday.

Reuters contributed to this story.