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 raid, according to Yasmeen Elagha, who identified herself as their cousin.
She said both men are American citizens, born in the suburbs of Chicago.
Elagha told CNN that she spoke over the phone with Hashem’s mother — her aunt — who was present during the raid and claims IDF broke through the door while the group was sleeping, tied up the women and children inside the home, and took the men into custody.
They do not know where the men have been taken at this point.
Elagha says the home belongs to her uncle and her family has no ties to Hamas.
CNN has reached out to the IDF for comment.
The US is aware of reports that the Israeli military has detained two American citizens in Gaza and is "seeking additional information," State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said at a news briefing. Patel did not share further details.