America accelerates plan to evacuate its citizens in Israel

Several US governments are taking urgent steps to evacuate their citizens from Israel, following attacks this weekend by militants from the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. At least 14 Americans, 7 Argentinians, 2 Canadians, 2 Brazilians, 2 Peruvians and a Chilean are among the victims of the Hamas attack on Israeli territory, according to the latest official figures. Four of the latest victims confirmed on Tuesday were Peruvian-Israeli Brando David Flores García, 21, who was finishing the final days of his military service at a base near the Gaza border; Peruvian-Israeli doctor Daniel Levi, missing after Saturday’s attacks; the Chilean Gina Pak, whose death was confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the South American country, and the Brazilian Bruna Valeanu, 24, who, like her compatriot Ranani Nidejelski Glazer, was present at the music festival where Hamas murdered around 260 people.

US President Joe Biden confirmed that there were US citizens among those kidnapped by Hamas, although he did not specify the exact number. The State Department speaks of at least 20 missing. Some 15 Argentinians, 3 Peruvians, 2 Mexicans (presumably kidnapped by Hamas), 2 Colombians, 2 Paraguayans, a Chilean woman and a Brazilian woman have been reported missing by their respective governments without it being possible at this time to confirm whether they are to the power of Hamas. Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Colombia, Panama, Paraguay, Uruguay and Peru are among the American countries that have already launched operations to evacuate their citizens.