Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has reaffirmed the United States' unwavering commitment to Israel's right to self-defense in the wake of an unprecedented attack by the Hamas militant group. Secretary Austin expressed solidarity with Israel and offered condolences to the affected families. He stated, "I am closely monitoring developments in Israel. Our commitment to Israel's right to defend itself remains unwavering."

The attack by Hamas has deeply unsettled Israel, with clashes between militants and Israeli forces continuing in various communities. Israel's national rescue service has confirmed the death of at least 40 individuals, with many more injured. This marks one of the most severe assaults on Israel in recent years.

In response to the attack, Secretary Austin pledged the support of the Department of Defense. He assured that the U.S. would work diligently to provide Israel with the necessary resources to uphold its sovereignty and protect its civilian population from indiscriminate violence and acts of terrorism.

The statement from Secretary Austin comes at a critical time as Israel grapples with one of the deadliest attacks in recent memory. It underscores the deep ties between the United States and Israel, even in challenging times.