Israel has launched a counterattack on the Gaza Strip

New Delhi:

Several Americans may be among the dead and hostages taken by the Hamas group after its biggest ever attack on Israel, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a TV news show.

“We’ve seen reports about hostages. We’re very actively trying to verify them. Any American anywhere who is being detained is going to be a priority,” Mr Blinken said in NBC News’ ‘Meet the Press’ show.

Gun battles raged in towns and on highways as the Israeli army sought to secure desert regions near the coastal enclave, rescue hostages and evacuate all areas near Gaza within 24 hours.

“We’ll reach each and every community until we kill every terrorist in Israel,” said military spokesman Daniel Hagari, a day after hundreds of Hamas fighters launched their shock offensive and surged into Israel using vehicles, boats and even motorised paragliders.

There was widespread shock and dismay in Israel after at least 100 citizens were captured by Hamas gunmen and abducted into Gaza, with images circulating on social media of bloodied hostages, and distraught relatives pleading for the state to rescue them.

A German woman was killed and her body was paraded on the back of a truck. At least 18,000 Indians are stranded in Israel, while Nepal said 10 of its students have been killed.