In the midst of escalating violence near Gaza, US President Joe Biden has unequivocally expressed his support for Israel, affirming the nation’s right and duty to respond to what he referred to as “terrorism” by Hamas.
President Biden’s remarks came during a White House speech where he strongly condemned the actions of Hamas and pledged to provide any assistance required by Israel.
During the speech, President Biden revealed that at least 14 Americans have tragically lost their lives in the ongoing conflict, while others have been taken as hostages. However, their identities have not yet been disclosed by official sources.
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President Biden went on to describe the actions of Hamas as “an act of sheer evil,” drawing parallels with the worst atrocities committed by the so-called Islamic State.
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He stressed that, like any other nation, Israel has the right to respond and a responsibility to react to such vicious attacks. He assured that the US response in a similar situation would be “swift, decisive, and overwhelming.”
Standing alongside Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, President Biden mentioned that the United States is actively sharing intelligence with Israel and has dispatched experts to assist in hostage recovery efforts.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan added that “20 or more” Americans are currently missing, though the exact number taken captive remains uncertain.
Secretary Blinken is set to travel to Israel in the coming days to meet with Israeli officials, emphasizing the US commitment to ensuring the safe return of its citizens.
In addition to these measures, the US has announced the relocation of naval forces, including an aircraft carrier, to the eastern Mediterranean.
The strengthening of US Air Force squadrons in the region with additional combat aircraft and expedited shipments of military supplies to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) demonstrates the level of support that President Biden is willing to provide.
He also emphasized his intention to request “urgent action” from Congress to fund the needs of US allies, stating, “The United States has Israel’s back.”
President Biden concluded his speech with a resolute message: the US stands “ready to move in additional assets as needed,” serving as a warning to any other entities or countries that might become involved in the conflict.
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Simultaneously, efforts are being made to enhance security around Jewish sites in the United States to mitigate domestic threats related to the ongoing attacks.
In this trying time, President Biden emphasized that “there is no place for hate in America, not against Jews, not against Muslims, not against anybody.”
The commitment to peace and security remains paramount in the US stance on the conflict in the Middle East.
