Israel has officially declared war on Hamas after a series of deadly terror attacks, resulting in mounting fatalities. In response to the attacks, the United States has strongly denounced Hamas and expressed its support for Israel's right to self-defense.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated, "The United States unequivocally condemns the appalling attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israel, including civilians and civilian communities." He emphasized that there is never any justification for terrorism and reaffirmed the U.S.'s steadfast allegiance to Israel.
The nature of these attacks has led Secretary Blinken to compare them to the most severe onslaught on Israel since the Yom Kippur War of 1973. He highlighted the distinction between the two conflicts, noting that the Yom Kippur War involved state-on-state hostilities with clear battle lines.
The initial aggression came from coordinated assaults by Hamas operatives on several Israeli towns and military installations. The death toll from these strikes has exceeded 700, with 250 victims identified from a music festival near the Gaza boundary.
In Gaza, the situation has worsened, with over 123,000 inhabitants seeking refuge in anticipation of heightened conflict.
Multiple Israelis and several Americans are reportedly in captivity, according to Israeli and Palestinian sources.
Palestinian representatives attribute more than 300 fatalities in Gaza to Israeli retaliatory actions, with the number of wounded reaching into the thousands.
Secretary Blinken reiterated the U.S.'s support for Israel and recognition of its right to self-defense in a press release. He also extended condolences to the Israeli people and pledged American efforts to ensure the safe return of hostages.
The close relationship between the U.S. and Israel, rooted in shared values and interests, has been consistent since Israel's establishment in 1948. Israel has historically received significant economic and defense aid from the U.S., making it a prominent recipient of American overseas support.
