Biden administration pledges unwavering support to Israel on hostage crisis

The United States has pledged to provide "every kind of support" to Israel in addressing the hostage situation in the Israel-Hamas war, according to a deputy national security adviser for the Biden administration. The U.S. is focused on confirming the presence of any Americans among the hostages, as Hamas is believed to be holding scores of hostages. The U.S. is working to verify reports of Americans being taken hostage and has confirmed that at least nine Americans are among the dead. While Iran is seen as broadly complicit in the attacks, there is no evidence of direct involvement in the recent assaults.