Blinken Meets With Families of Survivors in Israel

During his visit to Israel on Thursday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with families of survivors following the Hamas attack in the Gaza Strip.

The Secretary of State was seen speaking with and listening to the stories of survivors and their families in Tel Aviv, Israel.

"We were saved by a miracle, but there were friends that we loved that weren't and that aren't," one survivor told Blinken through tears as he comforted her. "Thank you for being here, it's really important," she continued saying that they feel "strong" in Tel Aviv, but the priority needs to be those in Gaza.

"We are thinking of them and trying to do everything we can ... We want to bring them home," Blinken told her following a hug. "And I'm so so sorry you have to go through this."

Blinken also spoke at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu where he emphasized America's "unequivocal" support for Israel while also heading caution in how retaliative attacks can impact civilians.

At the presser, Blinken relayed his own personal connections to the intensifying conflict between Israel and Hamas as he is Jewish and has family who survived the Holocaust.