Biden Calls PM Netanyahu, Offers Full Backing Amid Hamas Attack On Israel
US President Joe Biden on Saturday called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and stressed that the US stands by Israel and fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself, amid a surprise violent assault by Gazan terrorists.
The Gaza-based terror group launched an unprecedented assault on Israel in the morning, firing thousands of rockets and sending multitudes of gunmen into Israeli communities by land, sea, and air, killing at least 200 people and injuring at least 1,400 by Saturday evening.
Netanyahu thanked Biden for his support and told him that a “prolonged and powerful campaign will be required in which Israel will win,” a readout from the Prime Minister’s Office said.
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US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the Pentagon will work in the coming days to make sure Israel has the means to defend itself against the attack.
Austin vowed “to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself and protect civilians from indiscriminate violence and terrorism.”
“Our commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself remains unwavering, and I extend my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this abhorrent attack on civilians,” Austin said in a statement.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington “unequivocally condemns the appalling attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israel, including civilians and civilian communities.”
“There is never any justification for terrorism. We stand in solidarity with the government and people of Israel, and extend our condolences for the Israeli lives lost in these attacks,” he said.
“We will remain in close contact with our Israeli partners. The United States supports Israel’s right to defend itself.”
US Vice President Kamala Harris tweeted that she and her husband Doug’s “prayers are with the victims of the heinous terrorist attacks in Israel. @POTUS and my support for Israel’s security is unwavering.”
US Chargé d’Affaires in Israel Stephanie Hallett, the country’s top diplomat to the Jewish state since the departure of former ambassador Tom Nides, tweeted that she was “sickened by the images coming out of southern Israel of dead and wounded civilians at the hands of terrorists from Gaza.”
US National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson also denounced the ongoing terror attacks.
“The United States unequivocally condemns the unprovoked attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli civilians,” Watson said in a statement, adding that “there is never any justification for terrorism.”
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has spoken to National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi and will remain in close contact with Israeli partners over the operation, according to the statement.
“We stand firmly with the Government and people of Israel and extend our condolences for the Israeli lives lost in these attacks,” Watson added.