Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country is at war after attacks from Hamas:
The Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise and unprecedented land, see and air attack on Israel, which its leader said included firing about 5,000 rockets.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded saying the country was at war with Hamas and that reservists would be called up to boost the armed forces. “The enemy will pay a price it has never known before," he said.
At least 40 Israelis have been killed, health officials said. At least 198 people were killed after Israeli strikes, the Gaza health ministry said.
For several hours people were wondering where the Biden White House's reaction was, and now we have this statement:
Biden statement is out pic.twitter.com/3yfyXo0PSG
— Sam Stein (@samstein) October 7, 2023
BREAKING: Biden White House condemns terrorist attacks against Israel.
— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) October 7, 2023
In a statement a minute ago, the White House National Security Council Spokesperson Adrienne Watson writes, "The United States unequivocally condemns the unprovoked attacks by Hamas terrorists against… pic.twitter.com/EzUNk2GtLn
Here's the entire statement via the White House website:
This morning, I spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu about the horrific and ongoing attacks in Israel. The United States unequivocally condemns this appalling assault against Israel by Hamas terrorists from Gaza, and 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. 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. My Administration’s support for Israel’s security is rock solid and unwavering.
Jill and I are keeping in our prayers all of the families who have been hurt by this violence. We are heartbroken by the lives that have been tragically cut short and hope for a swift recovery for all those who have been wounded.
My team and I are tracking this situation closely, and I will remain in close touch with Prime Minister Netanyahu.
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It took about 12 hours for the Biden White House to put out the statement, which didn't go unnoticed:
After hours of sleeping on it, the Biden administration has finally released a statement on Israel. No word from Joe himself, though. pic.twitter.com/6SRdtR7hWH
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) October 7, 2023
Nearly 12 hours after the invasion began. https://t.co/68MgnILSi2
— Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) October 7, 2023
Not sure they needed all that runway to craft this boilerplate.
— Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) October 7, 2023
Biden took hours to release a boilerplate written statement.
— R James King (@RJamesKing1) October 7, 2023
It seems likely that he has good days and bad days, where he just isn’t sharp, and today is one of the bad ones.
They stage manage most of his stuff, but you can’t stage manage a response to a surprise attack.
It's worth noting that Sen. Ted Cruz and others had a statement out about eight hours before the Biden White House.
Official Statement On Hamas War Against Israel. pic.twitter.com/txMfzqrhNK
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) October 7, 2023
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to note that Netanyahu is Israel's Prime Minister and not president.
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