CNN —Two American citizens were detained by the Israel Defense Forces during a raid of a home in Gaza early Thursday morning local time, according to a family member in the United States.
Hashem Alagha, 20, and Borak Alagha, 18, were among a group of roughly 20 men detained by IDF soldiers during the incident, according to Yasmeen Elagha, who identified herself as their cousin.
She said both men are American citizens, born in the suburbs of Chicago and raised there in their early childhood.
The US is aware of reports that the Israeli military has detained two American citizens in Gaza, according to a State Department spokesperson.
Patel said they believe “the vast majority” of US citizens seeking to leave Gaza have reached out to the State Department.
Persons:
Hashem Alagha, Borak Alagha, Yasmeen Elagha, Elagha, –, “, ”, Vedant Patel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, Patel
Organizations:
CNN, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, State Department, Israel
Locations:
Gaza, United States, Chicago, Canadian, Rafah, Egypt