October 7, 2023
Both the Biden administration and 45th President Donald Trump strongly condemned Hamas’ terrorist attacks on Israel.
In a statement released early this morning, Trump said:
These Hamas attacks are a disgrace and Israel has every right to defend itself with overwhelming force. Sadly, American taxpayer dollars helped fund these attacks, which many reports are saying came from the Biden Administration. We brought so much peace to the Middle East through the Abraham Accords, only to see Biden whittle it away at a far more rapid pace than anyone thought possible. Here we go again.
Speaking for the Biden administration, NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson said:
The United States unequivocally condemns the unprovoked attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli civilians. There is never any justification for terrorism. We stand firmly with the Government and people of Israel and extend our condolences for the Israeli lives lost in these attacks. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has spoken to Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi and we remain in close contact with our Israeli partners. (whitehouse.gov)
The statements are a response to Hamas’ air and ground attack at the beginning of Israel’s celebration of Simchat Torah. Hamas has fired between 2,200 and 5,000 rockets at targets throughout Israel, as well as sending fighters to areas near Gaza. It is alleged that they are kidnapping and killing civilians, including women, children, and the elderly.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on X this morning:
Since this morning, the State of Israel has been at war. Our first objective is to clear out the hostile forces that infiltrated our territory and restore the security and quiet to the communities that have been attacked.
The second objective, at the same time, is to exact an immense price from the enemy, within the Gaza Strip as well. The third objective is to reinforce other fronts so that nobody should mistakenly join this war.
We are at war. In war, one needs to be level-headed. I call on all citizens of Israel to unite in order to achieve our highest goal – victory in the war.
