The United States has strongly condemned the recent attacks by “Hamas terrorists” against Israel and has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that Israel has the necessary means to defend itself.
President Joe Biden referred to the assault as a “terrible tragedy on a human level” and emphasized his support by personally speaking to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
During a televised address from the White House, Biden stated, “I told him the United States stands with the people of Israel in the face of these terrorist assaults.” He further emphasized that his administration’s support for Israel’s security is “rock solid and unwavering,” vowing to provide the necessary assistance for Israel to continue defending itself.
As the attacks threaten to escalate into a broader conflict, Biden also issued a warning, stating, “This is not a moment for any party hostile to Israel to exploit these attacks to seek advantage. The world is watching.”
Biden firmly reiterated Israel’s right to self-defense after the Iran-backed Palestinian militant group, Hamas, launched air, sea, and land strikes. The United States has been a longstanding ally of Israel, supplying billions of dollars in arms.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reaffirmed Washington’s commitment, assuring that the Department of Defense will work diligently to ensure that Israel has the necessary resources in the coming days.
Additionally, Secretary of State Antony Blinken held discussions with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, urging all regional leadership to condemn the attack on Israel. Abbas leads the West Bank-based Fatah movement, which is a rival to Hamas.
Former President Donald Trump also commented on the situation, accusing Biden, without evidence, of indirectly funding the attacks. Trump’s allegations mirrored Republican claims that last month’s release of $6 billion to Iran as part of a prisoner exchange deal contributed to funding the Hamas attack.
In response, White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates stated on social media that these claims are “a shameful lie in every respect” and emphasized the need for unity in supporting Israel’s defense.
Israel has established diplomatic relations with neighboring countries such as Egypt and Jordan for decades, and in 2020, it expanded its ties to include the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco. These efforts were part of the “Abraham Accords” brokered by Trump, which were seen as a significant foreign policy achievement.
Trump, who plans to run against Biden in the 2024 election, expressed disappointment in the current administration’s handling of the Middle East, particularly regarding Saudi Arabia’s recognition of Israel. Prior to the recent assault, Biden had hoped to secure Saudi Arabia’s recognition of the Jewish state, aiming for a pre-election diplomatic victory.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham claimed that the Hamas attacks, supported by Iran, were designed to obstruct peace efforts between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Graham suggested that a peace agreement between the two nations would be detrimental to Iran and Hamas, urging a strong response from Israel.
Hamas, backed by Iran, has received praise from Iran’s supreme leader for the recent attacks. Biden’s relationship with Netanyahu has also been strained, with public criticisms directed at the Israeli Prime Minister for actions seen as undermining democracy in Israel’s judiciary.
