WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden denounced Hamas’ attacks as terrorism and mentioned the United States stands with Israel.
“There are moments on this life, I imply this actually, when a pure unadulterated evil is unleashed on this world. People of Israel lived by one such second this weekend,” Biden mentioned.
“This was an act of sheer evil: More than 1,000 civilians slaughtered, not simply killed, slaughtered in Israel. Among them no less than 14 American residents have been killed,” he added.
The militant group Hamas over the weekend launched a shock land, air and sea assault on Israeli civilians, sparking retaliatory airstrikes throughout the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to as Hamas’ assault on Israel “a horrible mistake” and warned the retaliatory strikes have been “simply the starting.”
“The brutality of Hamas, its bloodthirstiness, brings to thoughts the worst, worst rampages of ISIS. This is terrorism,” Biden mentioned. “Sadly for the Jewish individuals, this isn’t new.”
The demise toll from the ongoing violence between Israel and Hamas has surpassed 1,800, with over 1,000 killed and 2,700 injured in Israel and no less than 830 individuals killed and 4,250 injured in Gaza, in accordance to Palestinian and Israeli well being companies.
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke with Netanyahu Tuesday morning to focus on coordinated efforts to present support to the nation below siege. Biden has held almost 30 inside conferences and calls with U.S. and worldwide officers since the violence started and mentioned he’s urgent Congress for “pressing motion” when it returns to session.
Speaking Tuesday from the White House, Biden confirmed there are Americans amongst the hostages being held by Hamas. The president famous Hamas is threatening to execute the hostages “in violation of each code of human morality.”
U.S. President Joe Biden makes remarks after talking by telephone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the scenario in Israel following Hamas’ lethal assaults, from the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, U.S. October 10, 2023.
Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
Hamas has been designated a terrorist group by the U.S., U.Okay., and the European Union. In a joint assertion launched Monday, the U.S. together with France, Germany, Italy and the U.Okay. condemned the group and “its appalling acts of terror” and vowed to support Israel.
Biden reiterated the place in his speech Tuesday.
“In this second we should be crystal clear: We stand with Israel. We stand with Israel,” Biden mentioned. “There is not any justification for terrorism. There is not any excuse. Hamas doesn’t stand for the Palestinian individuals’s proper to dignity and self-determination.”
“Hamas provides nothing however terror and bloodshed with no regard to who pays the worth,” Biden mentioned. “The lack of harmless life is heartbreaking. Like each nation in the world, Israel has the proper to reply, certainly the responsibility to reply, to these vicious assaults.”
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday mentioned the U.S. would supply Israel with assistance together with munitions. On Monday, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby mentioned the first batch of help had been dispatched.
“We’re surging extra army techniques together with ammunition and interceptors to replenish Iron Dome,” Biden mentioned Tuesday. “We’re going to be sure that Israel doesn’t run out of those vital belongings to defend its cities and its residents.”
Biden mentioned the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are working with state and native legislation enforcement to determine any home threats that would spawn in response to the assaults in the Middle East. He urged Americans to denounce hate.
“This is a second for the United States to come collectively to grieve with those that are mourning. Let’s be clear: There’s no place for hate in America, not towards Jews, not towards Muslims, not towards anyone. What we reject is terrorism.”