In a significant escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict, President Joe Biden has strongly condemned the recent attack by Hamas militants on Israel, characterizing it as the “deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust.” As Israeli jets continue to strike the Gaza Strip, which is grappling with dwindling medical supplies, the situation remains dire.
President Biden, addressing Jewish leaders at the White House, expressed his condemnation, branding the attack as a “campaign of pure cruelty” rather than just an act of hatred. He emphasized that silence amounts to complicity and declared that he refuses to remain silent. Additionally, he disclosed his recent conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that the United States is providing increased military assistance to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Furthermore, the deployment of U.S. military assets closer to Israel is intended as a clear signal to Iran, which supports Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah. President Biden conveyed a warning to the Iranian government to exercise caution in their involvement.
Israel’s military has conducted a “large-scale strike” on Hamas targets in Gaza, signaling a potential ground offensive in response to the recent attacks by Hamas, which have claimed the lives of around 1,200 Israelis, with approximately 150 hostages believed to be held by Hamas inside Gaza.
The situation in Gaza is dire, with the sole power station running out of fuel due to a tightening siege. This has led to growing concerns about the availability of vital services, particularly for the enclave’s hospitals. The World Health Organization reports severe shortages in essential medical supplies, including bandages, intravenous fluids, beds, and medications. The psychological impact of constant shelling and the loss of colleagues further compounds the crisis.
The death toll in Gaza has risen to 1,200, with over 5,600 wounded, according to Palestinian media. A staggering 338,000 Gaza residents have been displaced, with approximately 65% seeking shelter in schools and other facilities, while the enclave’s total population stands at 2.3 million.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading to the Middle East to reaffirm U.S. support for Israel, seek the release of hostages, including American citizens, and work to prevent a broader conflict from erupting. Blinken is expected to visit Israel and Jordan and meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
In response to the escalating conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced the formation of an emergency wartime government, including senior opposition figure Benny Gantz and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, with the goal of establishing a “war cabinet” to prepare for an anticipated ground invasion.
In a televised address, Netanyahu described the atrocities committed during the recent Hamas attack, pledging to “crush and destroy” Hamas. Benny Gantz conveyed a united front, stating that the new government is prepared to eradicate Hamas.
President Biden, in his conversations with Netanyahu, emphasized the importance of Israel adhering to the rules of war in its response to Hamas. The number of American citizens known to have been killed in the attack has reached 22, with 17 more Americans unaccounted for.
Questions have arisen about Iran’s role in sponsoring Hamas, but the U.S. has information suggesting that senior Iranian government officials were caught off guard by the attack. White House officials have not found evidence of direct Iranian involvement in planning or executing the attack, although investigations continue.
Furthermore, it has been revealed that Egypt had issued a warning to Israel three days before the attack, indicating the potential for violence. This information came to light during a closed-door intelligence briefing for lawmakers.
