US President Joe Biden called the violence Hamas has inflicted on Israel “terrorism, but sadly it’s not new.” .“This attack has brought to the surface painful memories and scars left by a millennia of antisemitism and genocide on the Jewish people,” said Biden at a Tuesday press conference. .“So in this moment, we must be crystal clear: We stand with Israel.” .While more than 1,000 people have been slaughtered, Biden said 14 of them were Americans. Some of the atrocities he said Israel has seen are parents being butchered while trying to protect their children, babies being killed, families being slain and young people massacred while attending a music festival. .He said Hamas does not stand for Palestinians’ dignity and self-determination. Hamas’ goal is to annihilate Israel and murder Jews. .It uses Palestinians as human shields. He accused Hamas of offering “nothing but terror and bloodshed with no regard of who pays the price.” .Like every country in the world, he said Israel has the right to respond to these attacks. He spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and told him the US’s response will be swift and overwhelming. .Netanyahu and he discussed democracies being stronger and more secure when they act according to the rule of law. They pledged to uphold the laws of war. .His team has been in constant contact with its partners around the world since the crisis began. It is dispatching additional military assistance, including ammunition and interceptors to replenish the Iron Dome. .His administration has consulted with Congress during the crisis. When Congress returns, it will ask it to take urgent action to fund Israel’s security. .He said Americans are being held hostage by Hamas. He has directed his team to share intelligence and deploy experts to consult with and advise the Israeli military on hostage recovery. .The US has enhanced its military posture in the region to show strength. The US Department of Defense has moved the USS Gerald R. Ford to the eastern Mediterranean and brought in more fighter jets. .To anyone thinking of taking advantage of the situation, Biden said they should not. While people’s hearts might be broken, he said their resolve is clear. .For 75 years, Biden said Israel has stood the only guarantor of the security of Jews around the world, so the atrocities of the past can never happen again. The US has its back. .“We will make sure the Jewish and democratic State of Israel can defend itself today, tomorrow, as we always have,” he said. .Hamas militants fired thousands of rockets and sent scores of soldiers into Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip in an unprecedented attack during a major Jewish holiday on Saturday, killing hundreds and stunning the country. .READ MORE: Netanyahu declares war on Hamas after Israeli attack kills hundreds.The Israeli government confirmed it was now at war with Hamas and launched airstrikes in Gaza, vowing to set a new precedent. .Hamas soldiers are fighting gun battles inside several Israeli communities near Gaza several hours after the attack began. Israel’s national rescue service said at the time at least 250 people have been killed and hundreds wounded, making it the deadliest attack in years.
