On Oct. 4, New Yorkers Jonathan Bichoupan and Channi Greenwall touched down in Jerusalem roughly one week before 200 guests were scheduled to join them from the United States.
According to two US officials, the US has been flying surveillance drones over the Gaza Strip to assist in locating the hostages who were taken by Hamas.
Israel-Hamas War: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken holds talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Israeli troops continue intense aerial bombardments in Gaza City.
Hamas spokesperson Ghazi Hamad said Israel's existence "was illogical" and said the terror group will repeat its attacks on the Jewish nation as it did on October 7. He said the group was not "ashamed" of doing so.