President Joe Biden condemned Hamas on Tuesday, describing their attack on Israel as “an act of sheer evil.” He expressed unwavering support for Israel as the country mourns the loss of over 1,000 lives. President Biden also expressed concern for Americans held hostage by Hamas, an Iranian-backed Islamist group known for its goal of “killing Jews.” He called on Israel to adhere to the “law of war” in its response to the attack.
Speaking at the White House, President Biden described the reports of the attack as “stomach-turning,” detailing the atrocities committed against innocent civilians, including parents, babies, and entire families. The president stated that at least 14 Americans had died in the attack, with an additional 20 Americans believed to be missing or held hostage.
President Biden condemned Hamas for their threats to execute hostages, including Holocaust survivors, which he deemed a violation of basic human morality. He likened the group’s brutality and “blood thirstiness” to that of ISIS and labeled their actions as terrorism. The president acknowledged that terrorism against Jewish people is not a new phenomenon and expressed his sorrow for the memories of antisemitism and the Jewish genocide that the incident had brought to the surface.
President Biden issued a warning to any country or organization seeking to exploit the situation, urging them not to do so. Though he did not mention Iran explicitly, his remarks appeared to be directed at the country and its backed groups, such as Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, Israel launched intense airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, causing widespread destruction despite threats from Hamas to execute captives for each targeted home. President Biden confirmed that he had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu three times in the past four days. He stressed the United States’ commitment to support Israel by providing military assistance. The president also announced his intention to ask Congress to take urgent action and consider military aid requests from both Ukraine and Israel.
President Biden emphasized the distinction between terrorists who purposefully target civilians and democracies that uphold the rule of law during wartime. While he acknowledged the challenges faced by Palestinians in Gaza, he did not explicitly mention them in his statements.
The White House has expressed its commitment to fulfill additional security requests from Israel promptly. Measures being considered include replenishing interceptors used by Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, providing ammunition, and increasing the US military presence in the region. However, there are no plans to deploy American military forces on the ground.
President Biden assured American Jews of his support and called for their right to worship in peace within the United States. Acknowledging the rise of antisemitism in the country, he stated that it had reached record levels.
According to Israel’s embassy in Washington, the death toll from Hamas’ attacks over the weekend has surpassed 1,000, making it one of the deadliest Islamist attacks on the West since 9/11.
The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.