WASHINGTON, November 3. /TASS/. The US is using reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles to search for hostages held by the radical Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip, Reuters reported, citing sources in the US administration.

According to the agency's sources, US drones will continue to search for hostages for at least a week. Reuters pointed out that the US administration believes that the ten American citizens reported missing after the infiltration of Hamas militants into Israel may be among more than 200 hostages.

White House National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby said earlier that US authorities are in favor of a series of pauses in the fighting in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone. According to him, this is necessary for the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and the continuation of work to ensure the safe evacuation of people, including hostages.

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7 when militants from the radical Palestinian group Hamas staged a surprise attack on Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip. Hamas described its attack as a response to the aggressive actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. Israel has announced a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and has been delivering air strikes on Gaza as well as some parts of Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also underway in the West Bank. On October 27, Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari said the Jewish state was expanding the scope of its ground military operation in Gaza.