The US State Department said secretary of state Antony Blinken will travel to Israel this week to show US support after the attacks.
US President Joe Biden has condemned militant group Hamas for “sheer evil” for its multipronged attack on Israel that has killed hundreds of civilians, including at least 14 Americans.
Mr Biden spoke of the actions he and other allies have taken to support Israel in the aftermath of the attack and expressed his horror about “sickening” reports of torture inflicted by militants on innocent civilians.He added: “Let there be no doubt. The United States has Israel’s back. We’ll make sure the Jewish and democratic state of Israel can defend itself today, tomorrow as we always have.“Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian people’s right to dignity and self-determination.
Retaliatory strikes by Israel on the Gaza Strip have also left hundreds of dead and wounded Palestinians in the blockaded 141-square mile area, one the poorest places in the world. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the US does not know the precise number of American hostages that were taken.“As president I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans being held hostage around the world,” Mr Biden said.“We did not see anything that suggested an attack of this type was going to unfold any more than the Israelis did,” Mr Sullivan told reporters.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Joe Biden labels Hamas attacks 'act of sheer evil' as he pledges support for IsraelJoe Biden has labelled Hamas' attacks on Israel 'sheer evil', with the US President insisting it will help the Middle Eastern nation to defend itself.
Read more »
Israel-Hamas war: Pro-Palestinian rallies outside Downing St - as PM attacks 'barbaric acts' by HamasEarlier at Downing Street, up to 2,000 people attended a vigil in solidarity with the Jewish community. A few miles away, there was a huge police presence as thousands gathered outside the Israeli embassy - with fireworks aimed at the building.
Read more »
Israel-Hamas war: Friend of woman kidnapped by Hamas fears for women taken by militant groupStav Gal Oliver, who lives in London but grew up in Israel, broke down in tears as she thought of the sheer number of people she knows who have been killed by Hamas after the militant incursion from Gaza.
Read more »
Israel-Hamas war: Israel retakes control of border fence as concerns grow for hostages in GazaAs Israel pummels Gaza, Hamas warned that it will kill one of the 130 hostages every time the Israeli military bombs civilian targets without warning
Read more »