The Secretary of of Defense Yoav Gallant and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke by phone earlier today following the discovery of the remains of six hostages in Gaza killed by "Hamas".
Among them is 23-year-old American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Paulin.
Austin "conveyed his deepest condolences to the families of all the hostages killed, and he expressed outrage at their cruel, illegal and immoral execution by "Hamas,", the US statement said.
"He insisted that the leaders of "Hamas" must be held accountable for their crimes. The two reaffirmed their mutual commitment to quickly reach a cease-fire agreement to secure the release of all hostages, the Pentagon said.
"Austin also offered his condolences for three Israeli police officers killed in an apparent terrorist attack in the West Bank. He has expressed his concern about rising tensions and increased terrorist activity there this week," the US statement added.
The families of the seven remaining American hostages from Gaza held a virtual meeting with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
"Sullivan told the families that the next few days will be critical in efforts to free the remaining 101 hostages," the American Hostage Families said in a joint statement.
"The Biden-Harris administration is devastated by this senseless and cruel act by Hamas, he said. Sullivan also echoed what President Biden said in his statement that the administration would work around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages, the statement continued.
The families told senior Biden aides, "that all sides must unite in demanding that Prime Minister Netanyahu close the deal with "Hamas" and return the hostages home".
Sullivan has agreed to hold a follow-up meeting with the American families later this week.