October 7, 2023 11:54 AM EDT
President Joe Biden said the U.S. stands by Israel and supports its right to defend itself in response to deadly surprise attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Biden in a phone call Saturday his country would launch a prolonged military campaign against Hamas and expressed confidence Israel would win, according to Netanyahu’s office.
“I made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu that we stand ready to offer all appropriate means of support to the Government and people of Israel,” Biden said in a statement Saturday.
The president said he would “remain in close touch” with Netanyahu and his staff would closely track the situation.
“Terrorism is never justified. Israel has a right to defend itself and its people. The United States warns against any other party hostile to Israel seeking advantage in this situation,” Biden said.
Israel received backing from its top ally following some of the worst attacks the Jewish state has experienced in years. Hamas militants launched a coordinated barrage of rockets and infiltrations that resulted in numerous deaths, injuries and captures of civilians and soldiers.