At least 22 American citizens have been confirmed dead in Israel after the cross-border raid by Hamas, a US state department spokesperson has said.

The death toll has jumped from the number of 14 confirmed by US President Joe Biden on Tuesday.

US citizens are also among the hundreds of people taken hostage by the Palestinian militant group.

Israel’s death toll from the attack has hit 1,200. More than 1,100 people have died in Israeli air strikes on Gaza.

President Biden has said Israel has a duty to respond to Hamas.

Confirming the updated death toll on Wednesday, a state department spokesperson said: “We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and to the families of all those affected.”