31, 2023. Palestinians, including children killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes on Jabalia refugee camp, Interior Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday. Israeli attacks continue on the 25th day in Gaza. Did you see a claim on social media this week that Hamas is holding 500 Americans hostage in Gaza? It’s gone viral, with some of the biggest accounts on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, claiming the White House admitted the stunning number recently. But it’s simply not true.
“JUST IN: The White House admitted Hamas is holding nearly 500 Americans hostage in Gaza. Via: U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee,” Nawfal tweeted “The White House admitted Hamas is holding nearly 500 Americans hostage in Gaza,” Blackburn tweeted on Tuesday.But Blackburn is incorrect about the number of hostages being held by Hamas.
“Separately, the Biden administration believes that about 500 Americans are trapped inside Gaza, not as hostages but because they were there when the Hamas attack occurred and have been unable to leave amid the Israeli military’s retaliation,” the