Biden denounces Hamas attacks in Israel, confirms American casualties, hostages

In a solemn address from the White House flanked by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, President Biden condemned the recent onslaught by the Hamas militant group on Israel, referring to it as an “act of sheer evil.” He affirmed unwavering support for Israel, calling the attacks an affront to humanity.

During his address, President Biden revealed that at least 14 Americans were among the over 900 casualties in Israel. Additionally, American citizens were reported as hostages under the control of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the exact number of U.S. citizens held captive, but stated that 20 or more Americans were missing, and efforts were underway to determine their status.

President Biden emphasized solidarity with Israel, promising to provide the necessary support for the nation’s defense and recovery efforts. He strongly denounced terrorism, drawing parallels between Hamas’s assault and the worst atrocities committed by groups like the Islamic State.

The Hamas attack, which began on a surprising Saturday morning, had devastating consequences, with the Israel Defense Forces reporting over 900 dead and approximately 2,700 wounded. The Palestinian Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza confirmed a similar death toll, with expectations of further casualties due to ongoing Israeli airstrikes.

President Biden reiterated his administration’s united stance in support of Israel, emphasizing Israel’s right and duty to respond to the vicious attacks. The United States had already taken steps to bolster Israel’s defense capabilities, including providing munitions and deploying a carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean to enhance regional deterrence.

In addition to military assistance, President Biden mentioned intelligence sharing, consultation with government experts on hostage recovery, and urging Congress to take swift action to fund national security requirements for U.S. partners.

This call to action transcended partisan lines, emphasizing the significance of global and U.S. security in the face of these unprecedented challenges. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby confirmed the dispatch of the first tranche of security assistance to Israel and anticipated additional requests as the conflict continued.