As fears persist about Americans possibly being taken hostage by Hamas after a surprise attack on Israel this past weekend, US Senator Roger Marshall’s office is working to evacuate any Kansas residents to a nearby ally country or back to the United States.
Marshall says Israel has a right to defend itself and there will be broad support in Congress for the country.
Kansas residents with family or loved ones in Israel are asked to call 785-829-9000 or email evachelp@marshall.senate.gov. Marshall says his staffers have already helped four Americans in Israel evacuate between the start of Saturday’s attacks and Monday afternoon.
Kansas political leaders are finding common ground in the attacks. Governor Laura Kelly and Attorney General Kris Kobach, election opponents in 2018, issued a joint statement Monday condemning the acts of terrorism, extending sympathy to Israelis and reminding residents that law enforcement, emergency management and homeland security are doing their best to guard against potential safety threats to the state’s Jewish communities.
President Joe Biden is set to speak to the nation at noon Tuesday. In a joint statement with French, German, English and Italian leaders, Biden said the attacks have no justification or legitimacy. The statement also says the nations will support Israel’s self-defense efforts — and it says while the goal remains for “equal measures of justice and freedom” for both Israelis and Palestinians, Hamas “does not represent those aspirations.”
More than 900 people, including at least 11 Americans, have died since the surprise attacks began Saturday. Over 2,500 people have been hurt. At least 100 people are missing, and an untold number of Americans are feared to be hostages.