Israel-Gaza live updates: At least 25 Americans confirmed dead in Israel, Blinken says

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday visited an Israel donation center, where he was greeted by applause and cries of “God bless America.”

Blinken dropped off his own contribution to benefit survivors who have lost everything.

He then spoke to Lior Gelbaum, a 24-year-old American-Israeli dual citizen, who was attending the music festival that was attacked by Hamas.

Through tears, she told Blinken that many of her friends were killed or taken hostage.

“Thank you for being here. It’s really important,” she said. “And if there is any way to help — first priority, first priority is our friends and family that are still in Gaza.”

“We’re thinking of them and trying to do everything we can. We want to bring them home,” Blinken responded. “I admire your strength.”

Another volunteer told Blinken he had just come from the fourth funeral of a friend who lost a child. The volunteer said all of the mourners had expressed that after concluding their mourning period, they would rebuild the country.

-ABC News’ Shannon Crawford