Breaking News 3 hour(s) ago

White House goes dark after 9 Americans confirmed

dead in Israel

The White House says President Biden is not expected to speak or appear to the public for the rest of the Monday,
just hours after nine Americans were confirmed dead in Israel.

The White House says President Biden is not expected to speak or appear to the
public for the rest of Monday, just hours after nine Americans were confirmed dead in
Israel.

The White House called a press lid at 11:46 a.m. on Monday, indicating that they do
not expect Biden to make further statements. Biden's administration is embroiled in
the response to and unprecedented attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists, which the
State Department confirmed claimed the lives of at least nine Americans.

"President Biden met this morning with Secretary of State Tony Blinken, National
Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer,
Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall, and White House Chief of Staff
Jeff Zients this morning for updates. He directed his team to follow up on
coordination with Israel on all aspects of the crisis and to continue their work with
regional partners to warn anyone who might seek to take advantage in this situation.
This afternoon, President Biden will be speaking with several of our close allies about
the latest developments in Israel and we will have more to share soon," the White
House said in a statement.

The White House went on to deny that the lid was an indication that Biden is
disengaged with the events in Israel, however.

“President Biden has been consistently engaged in supporting Israel as they defend
themselves against these brutal terrorist attacks. Yesterday, after another call with
Prime Minister Netanyahu and ordering the American military to provide aid to the
IDF to ensure they have what they need, the President held a long-scheduled event to
thank the hardworking non-political staff who keep the White House running -
operating the kitchens, cleaning the White House, and helping keep the complex safe.
This date was chosen because there were not White House activities that would
require their work and they could bring their families. They deserve recognition, and
no small, petty comments from partisan media or elected officials change that," the
White House told Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy.

The administration has yet to release the names of those Americans, and it has
acknowledged the possibility that there are more U.S. citizens being held hostage in
Gaza.

Biden spoke on the phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier
Monday. His Israeli counterpart warned that a ground invasion of Gaza may be
imminent.

Posted by Anders Hagstrom