‘US will always have Israel’s back’: President Biden after deadly Hamas attack

US President Joe Biden on Saturday said that the US will always have Israel’s back and warned that no enemy of Israel should exploit the attacks.

In his three-minute-long address to the media, Biden said, “The US Stands with Israel. We will not ever fail to have their back. We will make sure that they have the help their citizens need and they can continue to defend themselves.”

Biden also offered “all appropriate means of support” to Israel.

“Israel has the right to defend itself and its people, full stop. There is never justification for terrorist attacks and my administration’s support for Israel’s security is Rock Solid and unwavering,” Biden added in his address.

He also directed his national security team to stay in touch about the situation with countries throughout the region, including Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and European allies.

Earlier, on Saturday, Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, declared a ‘state of war’ after the Palestinian militant group Hamas carried out an unprecedented infiltration into Israel, launching more than 5,000 rockets which ld to the death of 200, including a mayor, and injuries to over 1,000 people.

The attack prompted Israel to declare a ‘state of war’ following numerous infiltrations and rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip.

In a video statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel “was at war” and said Hamas would “pay a price” for launching an attack on Israel.

“We are at war, not an operation. Hamas has launched a murderous surprise attack against the State of Israel and its citizens. I ordered first of all to cleanse the settlements of the terrorists who had infiltrated and ordered a large-scale mobilisation of reserves. The enemy will pay a price they have never known,” he said.

Israel also urged its people to remain indoors and launched a counteroffensive ‘Operation Iron Swords’ against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which the group controls.

Israeli media reported Hama fighters infiltrating Israel either by land in seized Israeli army vehicles or by air with the help of parachutes. Fighting was reported in several parts of southern Israel.

Amid the fighting, airports in central and southern Israel ceased commercial operations, except for Tel Aviv airport, where a high alert was sounded.