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October 10, 2023 - Israel-Hamas war news

By Kathleen Magramo, Jessie Yeung, Adam Renton, Ed Upright, Joshua Berlinger, Aditi Sangal, Dakin Andone, Steve Almasy, Tori B. Powell and Elise Hammond, CNN

Updated 12:03 a.m. ET, October 11, 2023
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3:53 p.m. ET, October 10, 2023

US secretary of state will travel to Israel in coming days

From CNN's Jennifer Hansler

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to media with El Salvador’s Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill at the State Department in Washington, DC, on August 7, 2023.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to media with El Salvador’s Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill at the State Department in Washington, DC, on August 7, 2023. Kevin Wurm/Reuters

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Israel in the coming days "to engage our Israeli partners directly about the situation on the ground" and to navigate how the US can continue to support them, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Tuesday.

Blinken is expected to leave on Wednesday and will arrive in Israel Thursday, Miller said.

"The secretary looks forward to meeting with senior leaders in the Israeli government and continuing the discussions he and the president have been having with them since the initial attacks on Saturday," Miller said at a State Department briefing.

3:02 p.m. ET, October 10, 2023

US engaged in contingency planning in case situation in Israel escalates

From CNN's Kevin Liptak

 

The US is engaged in contingency planning in the event the current conflict in Israel escalates, according to US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.

President Joe Biden ordered the planning, which includes consulting with US allies.

The movement of a US carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean is meant to deter other nations or groups from exploiting the situation.

“Let me be clear, we did not move the carrier for Hamas,” Sullivan told reporters at the White House. “We moved the carrier to send a clear message of deterrence to other states or non-state actors that might seek to widen this war.”

“The president has also tasked us with engaging in contingency planning for any and all escalation scenarios,” Sullivan said. “And we are now deeply engaged in that planning. And we're consulting with allies and partners as well about all of the potential scenarios that might unfold in the days ahead.”

3:10 p.m. ET, October 10, 2023

Here's a map of the locations impacted by the Hamas-Israel war

After the surprise attack by Hamas over the weekend, Israel is pounding Gaza in response with deadly airstrikes, displacing more than 100,000 people and sending waves of injured Palestinians to overwhelmed hospitals.

At the same time, Hamas is also firing rockets at Israel.

Here's a look at the impacted areas:

3:23 p.m. ET, October 10, 2023

"Without her, there is no value for life.” Father says he won't give up hope on finding missing daughter

From CNN’s Sarah Boxer and Erica Hill

Jacob Ben Senior last heard from his daughter, Daniel, on Friday night when the 34-year-old Israeli-American was on her way to the Nova music festival. He hasn’t slept or eaten in days. 

“My heart, it's on the floor,” he told CNN’s Erica Hill. “She's everything for me. Without her, there is no value for life.”

Senior is in touch with several other families searching for missing loved ones; they’ve connected on WhatsApp to share information, though there is little to be had.

“We don't know anything. The information, it's zero. That drives you crazy. Nobody talks to you," he said.

Senior said he has not had any contact with the Israeli government or US State Department officials but has opened a case with police. He said he has sent DNA from his daughter's personal items for authorities to use to identify her if needed.

Desperate for any clues, Daniel’s boyfriend returned to the site of the Nova festival this afternoon with a group of others to search the area, Senior said.

“They're going through holes in the ground to caves with trees," he said. "She might be sitting on the tree. She is very strong woman.”

Daniel — a medic —served with the Israel Defense Forces’ Oketz unit, which is a special forces K9 unit, according to her father.

“There is hope in the heart,” Senior said. “There is hope. And we're gonna accept whatever God give us. If it's good or if it's bad. We have to be strong like hell.”
2:52 p.m. ET, October 10, 2023

Israeli-American soldier died trying to help others, his mother tells CNN

From CNN’s Caroll Alvarado 

Israeli-American Roey Weiser was killed during Saturday’s attack by Hamas, his mother, Naomi Feifer-Weiser told CNN. 

Weiser, 21, was a sergeant who served in the 13th Battalion of the Golani Brigade and was stationed at the Kerem Shalom border crossing, his mother said. 

“He died how he lived, by putting others first and when his base was overrun by terrorists, he went on his own to divert their attention allowing others to escape. Because of his bravery, at least 12 other soldiers are alive today,” Weiser’s mother said. 

Weiser’s father, Yami Weiser, called his son a “hero” when he spoke about his son’s passing. 

“My son Roey fell defending the southern border as a hero,” Weiser’s father posted on Facebook. 

Roey’s mother told CNN that the family was finally able to retrieve his body on Tuesday and that they plan to hold his funeral on Wednesday. 

“Roey lived his life to the fullest, almost always with a smile on his face. He was always looking for ways to help those around him and before he was conscripted, he was a volunteer firefighter who was always the first to jump into action when needed.”

Naomi and Yami were born and raised in the US, but now live in Israel.

3:24 p.m. ET, October 10, 2023

Security stepped up around centers of Jewish life in US, Biden says

A security guard stands watch in front of Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel synagogue on October 9, 2023, in Los Angeles, California.
A security guard stands watch in front of Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel synagogue on October 9, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. Eric Thayer/Getty Images

US President Joe Biden said Tuesday that security has been stepped up around centers of Jewish life across the country after the attack in Israel.

"We're also taking steps at home, in cities across the United States of America. Police departments have stepped up security around centers of Jewish life. The Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are working closely with state and local law enforcement and Jewish community partners to identify and disrupt any domestic threat that could emerge in connection with these horrific attacks," he said.

Biden then urged unity.

"This is a moment for the United States to come together, to grieve with those who are mourning. Let's be real clear. There is no place for hate in America. Not against Jews, not against Muslims, not against anybody. We reject, we reject. What we reject is terrorism. We condemn the indiscriminate evil just as we've always done. That's what America stands for" he said.
2:45 p.m. ET, October 10, 2023

US has enhanced "military force posture in the region" to ensure deterrence, Biden says

From CNN's Aditi Sangal

US President Joe Biden said Tuesday that the United States has "enhanced our military force posture in the region to strengthen our deterrence."

"The Department of Defense has moved the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the eastern Mediterranean and bolstered our fighter aircraft presence. And we stand ready to move in additional assets as needed," he said.

Biden also warned any hostile parties against taking advantage of the situation in Israel.

"Our hearts may be broken, but our resolve is clear," he said. "Yesterday, I also spoke with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and UK to discuss the latest developments with our European allies and coordinate our united response."
3:17 p.m. ET, October 10, 2023

"This is not about party or politics," Biden says about funding for US allies

U.S. President Joe Biden, accompanied by Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, makes remarks after speaking by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the situation in Israel following Hamas' deadly attacks, from the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on October 10, 2023.
U.S. President Joe Biden, accompanied by Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, makes remarks after speaking by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the situation in Israel following Hamas' deadly attacks, from the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on October 10, 2023. Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

President Joe Biden said the US would ensure Israel has the tools it needs to defend itself against attacks from Hamas, saying a call for Congress to help fund the national security of America's "critical partners" was "not about party or politics."

“When Congress returns, we’re going to ask them to take urgent action to fund the national security requirements of our critical partners," Biden said. "This is not about party or politics. It's about the security of our world, the security of the United States of America."

Biden said his administration was "surging" additional military assistance to Israel, including ammunitions and interceptors that would replenish the Iron Dome.

"We're going to make sure Israel does not run out of these critical assets to defend its cities and its citizens."

2:40 p.m. ET, October 10, 2023

Americans among hostages held by Hamas, Biden says

From CNN's Aditi Sangal

US President Joe Biden said Tuesday that there are Americans among hostages taken by Hamas as part of the militant group's attack on Israel.

"We now know that American citizens are among those being held by Hamas," he said.

Biden added that he has directed his team to "share intelligence and deploy additional experts from across the United States government to consult with and advise Israeli counterparts on hostage recovery efforts."

"Because, as president, I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans being held hostage around the world," he added.