President Joe Biden on Saturday unequivocally condemned the “appalling assault” against Israel by Hamas terrorists from Gaza. Biden pledged his full support for Israel after the surprise attack that drew worldwide condemnation and anger from Israel’s allies.
Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone from the White House and said he made clear “that we stand ready to offer all appropriate means of support to the government and people of Israel.”
The President issued a statement saying: “Terrorism is never justified. Israel has a right to defend itself and its people. The United States warns against any other party hostile to Israel seeking advantage in this situation. My Administration’s support for Israel’s security is rock solid and unwavering.”
Militants invaded Israel by land, air, and sea early Saturday, with some of them paragliding into the country.
Israeli media, citing rescue service officials, said at least 250 people were killed and 1,500 wounded, making this the deadliest attack in Israel in decades. At least 232 people in the Gaza Strip have been killed and at least 1,700 wounded in Israeli strikes, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.
Hamas fighters took an unknown number of civilians and soldiers captive in harrowing scenes posted on social media videos. Among those killed was a prominent Israeli infantry commander, AP reports.
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Western leaders voice support for Israel
Many world leaders stressed that Israel has a right to defend itself and pledged their support.
“We believe that order will be restored and the terrorists will be destroyed,” Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said in a post on his official Telegram channel. Zelenskyy, who is Jewish and had relatives who died in the Holocaust, said, “Israel’s right to self-defense cannot be questioned.”
European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen denounced the “senseless attack” by Hamas and said, “This violence is neither a political solution nor an act of bravery. It is purely terrorism.”
In Vienna, the Israeli flag was raised at the Austrian chancellor’s office and Foreign Ministry in a gesture of solidarity. “There is no excuse for terror,” Nehammer said in a post on X.
Germany lit up the Brandenburg Gate in Israeli flag colors in a show of solidarity.
Thank you to all of you around the world for your constant messages of support and solidarity.
This is a dark day for all of us here in Israel, but we can feel your love and warmth from miles away.
📸 Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate lit up in blue and white in solidarity with… pic.twitter.com/RNPDJ5C6Yg
— Israel ישראל 🇮🇱 (@Israel) October 7, 2023
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said his country stands beside Israel, a sentiment echoed by the Austrian chancellor, Karl Nehammer. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted that he was shocked by the attacks and that “Israel has an absolute right to defend itself.”
Biden said he would keep in close touch with Netanyahu and had called Jordan’s King Abdullah II and members of Congress to discuss the situation.
“Jill and I are keeping in our prayers all of the families who have been hurt by this violence. We are heartbroken by the lives that have been tragically cut short and hope for a swift recovery for all those who have been wounded,” Biden said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
