Biden confirms Americans among hostages captured in Israel

Biden confirms Americans among hostages captured in Israel, condemns 'sheer evil' of Hamas militants

Good afternoon. You know, there are moments in this life. I mean this literally when the pure unadulterated evil is unleashed on this world, the people of Israel live through one such moment. This weekend, the bloody hands of the terrorist organization, Hamas, *** group who stated purpose for being is to kill Jews. This was an act of sheer evil. More than 1000 civilians slaughtered. I just feel slaughtered in Israel among them. At least 14 American citizens killed parents butchered using their bodies to try to protect their Children, stomach turning, reports of babies being killed, entire family slain young people massacred while attending *** musical festival to celebrate peace, to celebrate peace, women raped, assaulted paraded as trophies. Families hid their fear for hours and hours desperately trying to keep their Children quiet to avoid drawing attention and thousands of wounded alive but carrying with them the bullet holes and the shrapnel wounds and the memory of what they endured. You all know these traumas never go away. There's still so many families desperately waiting to hear the fate of their loved ones not knowing if they're alive or dead or hostages, infants in their mother's arms, grandparents in wheelchairs, holocaust survivors abducted and held hostage hostages whom Hamas has now threatened to execute in violation of every code of human morality. It's *** ***. The brutality of Hamas. His blood thirstiness brings to mind the worst, the worst rampages of ISIS. This is terrorism, but sadly, for the Jewish people, it's not new. This attack has brought to the surface, painful memories and the scars left by *** millennia of anti-semitism and genocide of the Jewish people. So in this moment, we must be crystal clear. We stand with Israel, we stand with Israel and we will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself and respond to this attack. There's no justification for terrorism. There's no excuse. Hamas does not stand for the Palestinians people's right to dignity and self determination. The state of purpose is the annihilation of the state of Israel. On the murder of Jewish people. They use Palestinian civilians as human shields. Mas offers nothing but terror and bloodshed with no regard, who pays the price? The loss of innocent life is heartbreaking like every nation in the world. Israel has the right to respond indeed has *** duty to respond to these vicious attacks. I just got off the phone with *** third call with Prime Minister Netanyahu and I told him the United States experience of experiencing our response would be swift, decisive and overwhelming. We also discussed how democracies like Israel and the United States are stronger and more secure when we act according to the rule of law, terrorists pur purposely target civilians, kill them. We uphold the laws of war, the law of war, it matters. There's *** difference today, Americans across the country are praying for all those families that have been ripped apart. *** lot of us know how it feels. It leaves *** black hole in your chest when you lose family, feeling like you're being sucked in the anger, the pain, the sense of hopelessness. This is what they mean by *** human tragedy, an atrocity on an appalling scale. We're gonna continue to stand united, supporting the people of Israel who are suffering unspeakable losses and opposing the hatred and violence of terrorism. My team has been in near constant communication with our Israeli partners and partners all across the region and the world. From the moment this crisis began, we're surging additional military assistance including ammunition and interceptors to replenish iron dome. We're going to make sure that Israel does not run out of these critical assets to defend its cities and its citizens. My administration has consulted closely with Congress throughout this crisis and when Congress returns, we're gonna ask them to take urgent action to fund the national security requirements of our critical partners. This is not about party or politics, it's about the security of our world, the security of the United States of America. We now know that American citizens are among those being held by Hamas. I have directed my team to share intelligence and deploy additional experts from across the United States government to consult with and advise Israeli counterparts hostage recovery recovery efforts. Because as President, I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans being held hostage around the world, the United States has also enhanced our military force posture in the region to strengthen our deterrence. The Department of Defense has moved the US S Gerald R Ford carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean and bolstered our fighter aircraft presence and we stand ready to move in additional assets as needed. Let me say again to any country, any organization, anyone thinking of taking advantage of the situation? I have one word. Don't, don't, our hearts may be broken but our resolve is clear. Yesterday, I also spoke with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and the UK to discuss the latest developments with our European allies and coordinate our United Response. This comes on top of days of steady engagement with partners across the region. We're also taking steps at home in cities across the United States of America. Police departments have stepped up security around centers for of Jewish life. The Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are working closely with state and local law enforcement and Jewish community partners to identify and disrupt any domestic threat that could emerge in connection with these horrific attacks. This is *** moment for the United States to come together to grieve with those who are mourning. Let's be real clear. There is no place for hate in America, not against Jews, not against Muslims, not against anybody. We reject, we reject what we reject is terrorism. We condemn the indiscriminate evil just as we've always done. That's what America stands for. You know, just over 50 years ago, I was thinking about it this morning talking to the Secretary of State, the vice president of my office over 50 years ago. As *** young senator, I visited Israel for the first time as *** newly elected senator and I had *** long long trip, *** meeting with Golda Mayer in her office just before the Om Kippur War. I guess you could see the consternation of my face as she described what was being faced, there were faces, we walked outside in that, that sort of hallway outside our office have some photos. She looked at me all of *** sudden said, would you like to have *** photograph? And so I got up and followed her out. We were standing there silent looking at the press. She could tell, I guess I was concerned. She leaned over and whispered to me. She said, don't worry, Senator Biden, we have *** secret weapon here in Israel. My word is what she said. We have no place else to go. We have no place else to go for 75 years. Israel is the only guarantor of the security of Jewish people around the world so that the atrocities of the past could never happen again. And let there be no doubt the United States has Israel's back. We will make sure the Jewish and Democratic State of Israel can defend itself today tomorrow as we always have. It's as simple as that these atrocities. I've been sick of me. We're with Israel. Let's make no mistake. Thank you.

Biden confirms Americans among hostages captured in Israel, condemns 'sheer evil' of Hamas militants

President Joe Biden on Tuesday confirmed that U.S. citizens are among the hostages captured by Hamas as he condemned the militant group for the "sheer evil" of its shocking weekend assault on Israel."Our hearts may be broken but our resolve is clear," said Biden, who compared the brutality of the Hamas militants to that of the Islamic State terrorist group. He added: "Let there be no doubt. The United States has Israel's back. We'll make sure the Jewish and democratic state of Israel can defend itself today, tomorrow as we always have."The president coupled his unflinching defense for Israel with only a glancing reference to the suffering that innocent Palestinians are enduring from Israel's barrage of retaliatory fire on the Gaza Strip, where the Hamas attack was launched. That hardline approach could prove more difficult to sustain going forward if, as expected, the humanitarian crisis for the Palestinians worsens as Israel expands its military operation to root out Hamas.Biden took note of the impact on Americans as well. He said the number of U.S. citizens confirmed to have been killed in the fighting has reached 14, up from 11 reported previously. U.S. officials said that death toll could increase further as some 20 Americans remain unaccounted for."There's no justification for terrorism. There's no excuse," Biden said. "Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian people's right to dignity and self-determination. Their stated purpose is the annihilation of the state of Israel and the murder of Jewish people. They use Palestinian civilians as human shields."Hamas responded to Biden's remarks with a statement defending its actions, saying they were fighting against an occupation and defending Palestinians' right to self-determination. Hamas called on Biden to "move away from the policy of double standards" when it comes to Israel.Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke by phone earlier Tuesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the unfolding situation. Biden outlined the actions he and other allies have taken to support Israel in the aftermath of the attack and expressed his horror about "sickening" reports of torture inflicted by militants on civilians.Biden, in his public remarks and statements since Hamas launched its attacks, has repeatedly emphasized his shock over the breadth and brutality of the Hamas assault — a blitz by land, sea and air that surprised Israeli and U.S. intelligence and that has killed hundreds Israelis and left even more wounded.Retaliatory strikes by Israel on the Gaza Strip have also left hundreds of dead and wounded Palestinians in the blockaded 141-square-mile area, one the poorest places in the world. The death toll was expected to grow as Israel pummeled Gaza with airstrikes and sent tens of thousands of Palestinians fleeing into U.N. shelters.Biden said he has directed his team to share intelligence and military experts to consult and advise Israelis.He renewed his warnings to adversaries who might want to exploit the turmoil. "Let me say again to any country, any organization, anyone thinking of taking advantage of the situation," Biden said. "I have one word: Don't."White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the U.S. does not know the precise number of Americans taken hostage. He said that the U.S., at the moment, has no plans of putting U.S. troops on the ground."As president I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans being held hostage around the world," Biden said.Biden is also dispatching his top diplomat to Israel to show U.S. support after the attacks, the State Department said Tuesday.State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Secretary of State Antony Blinken would travel in the coming days to deliver a message of solidarity and support. He said Blinken will also "talk about what additional resources we can give them."Blinken will leave Wednesday and is expected to arrive Thursday.The White House on Monday confirmed that it has already begun delivering critically needed munitions and military equipment to Israel, and the Pentagon was reviewing its inventories to see what else can be sent quickly to boost its ally in the war against Hamas.The Ford carrier strike group has arrived in the far Eastern Mediterranean, within range to provide a host of air support or long-range strike options for Israel if requested, but also to surge U.S. military presence there to prevent the war from spilling over into a more dangerous regional conflict, officials said.The Pentagon has said that the U.S. warplanes, destroyers and cruisers that sailed with the Ford will conduct maritime and air operations which could include intelligence collection, interdictions and long-range strikes.Along with the Ford, the U.S. is sending the cruiser USS Normandy and destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney and USS Roosevelt, and the U.S. is augmenting Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region.Sullivan said the U.S. has already replenishing munitions for Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system from U.S. stock that was already staged in country. The U.S. was in the process of sending additional interceptors and the administration was looking at additional ways it can help augment Israel air defense capabilities, Sullivan said.Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters traveling with him Tuesday to a Ukraine contact group meeting in Brussels that a small group of U.S. special operations forces is also working with the Israelis to help with planning and intelligence.Americans have had a gloomy outlook on Biden's performance on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Six in 10 Americans (61%) disapproved of how Biden was handling the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians, according to an August poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. About one-third (35%) of U.S. adults approved, which was slightly lower than Biden's overall approval rating of 42% in the same poll.Four in 10 Americans (44%) said the U.S. gives about the right amount of support to Israel in the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Republicans were more likely than Democrats to say the U.S. should offer more support to Israel. Four in 10 Americans (42%) said the correct amount of support is given to the Palestinians. Democrats and Independents were more likely than Republicans to say the Palestinians should receive more support.The current crisis seems certain to further test public sentiment about Biden's Mideast foreign policy approach.The Biden White House has pointed to its handling of the last conflict between Israel and Gaza in 2021 as playing a crucial part in limiting the length and loss of life in a war that stretched over 11 days and killed at least 250 people in Gaza and 13 in Israel.During the 2021 conflict, Biden limited his public commentary while pressing Netanyahu in private to end it. His behind-the-scenes effort played out even as some of the president's fellow Democrats pressured him to speak out against the Israelis as the death toll climbed in Gaza and as tens of thousands of Palestinians were displaced by the aerial bombardment, White House officials said at the time.But this conflict is unlikely to end so quickly. Domestic and international pressure could quickly mount on Biden to pressure Netanyahu to wind down operations to prevent the suffering of innocent Gazans.Netanyahu said Saturday that civilians in Gaza should leave areas near where Hamas is operating as the Israeli military planned to take defining action against the the militant group.Sullivan said U.S. government officials have discussed details with Israel and Egyptian officials about where people in Gaza should go.But Biden seemed to make clear that he's not asking Netanyahu to show restraint."Like every nation in the world, Israel has the right to respond, indeed has a duty to respond to these vicious attacks." Biden said.___Associated Press writers Issam Adwan, Josh Boak, Seung Min Kim, Lolita C. Baldor, Matthew Lee and Linley Sanders contributed reporting.

President Joe Biden on Tuesday confirmed that U.S. citizens are among the hostages captured by Hamas as he condemned the militant group for the "sheer evil" of its shocking weekend assault on Israel.

"Our hearts may be broken but our resolve is clear," said Biden, who compared the brutality of the Hamas militants to that of the Islamic State terrorist group. He added: "Let there be no doubt. The United States has Israel's back. We'll make sure the Jewish and democratic state of Israel can defend itself today, tomorrow as we always have."

The president coupled his unflinching defense for Israel with only a glancing reference to the suffering that innocent Palestinians are enduring from Israel's barrage of retaliatory fire on the Gaza Strip, where the Hamas attack was launched. That hardline approach could prove more difficult to sustain going forward if, as expected, the humanitarian crisis for the Palestinians worsens as Israel expands its military operation to root out Hamas.

Biden took note of the impact on Americans as well. He said the number of U.S. citizens confirmed to have been killed in the fighting has reached 14, up from 11 reported previously. U.S. officials said that death toll could increase further as some 20 Americans remain unaccounted for.

"There's no justification for terrorism. There's no excuse," Biden said. "Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian people's right to dignity and self-determination. Their stated purpose is the annihilation of the state of Israel and the murder of Jewish people. They use Palestinian civilians as human shields."

Hamas responded to Biden's remarks with a statement defending its actions, saying they were fighting against an occupation and defending Palestinians' right to self-determination. Hamas called on Biden to "move away from the policy of double standards" when it comes to Israel.

Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke by phone earlier Tuesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the unfolding situation. Biden outlined the actions he and other allies have taken to support Israel in the aftermath of the attack and expressed his horror about "sickening" reports of torture inflicted by militants on civilians.

Biden, in his public remarks and statements since Hamas launched its attacks, has repeatedly emphasized his shock over the breadth and brutality of the Hamas assault — a blitz by land, sea and air that surprised Israeli and U.S. intelligence and that has killed hundreds Israelis and left even more wounded.

Retaliatory strikes by Israel on the Gaza Strip have also left hundreds of dead and wounded Palestinians in the blockaded 141-square-mile area, one the poorest places in the world. The death toll was expected to grow as Israel pummeled Gaza with airstrikes and sent tens of thousands of Palestinians fleeing into U.N. shelters.

Biden said he has directed his team to share intelligence and military experts to consult and advise Israelis.

He renewed his warnings to adversaries who might want to exploit the turmoil. "Let me say again to any country, any organization, anyone thinking of taking advantage of the situation," Biden said. "I have one word: Don't."

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the U.S. does not know the precise number of Americans taken hostage. He said that the U.S., at the moment, has no plans of putting U.S. troops on the ground.

"As president I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans being held hostage around the world," Biden said.

Biden is also dispatching his top diplomat to Israel to show U.S. support after the attacks, the State Department said Tuesday.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Secretary of State Antony Blinken would travel in the coming days to deliver a message of solidarity and support. He said Blinken will also "talk about what additional resources we can give them."

Blinken will leave Wednesday and is expected to arrive Thursday.

The White House on Monday confirmed that it has already begun delivering critically needed munitions and military equipment to Israel, and the Pentagon was reviewing its inventories to see what else can be sent quickly to boost its ally in the war against Hamas.

The Ford carrier strike group has arrived in the far Eastern Mediterranean, within range to provide a host of air support or long-range strike options for Israel if requested, but also to surge U.S. military presence there to prevent the war from spilling over into a more dangerous regional conflict, officials said.

The Pentagon has said that the U.S. warplanes, destroyers and cruisers that sailed with the Ford will conduct maritime and air operations which could include intelligence collection, interdictions and long-range strikes.

Along with the Ford, the U.S. is sending the cruiser USS Normandy and destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney and USS Roosevelt, and the U.S. is augmenting Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region.

Sullivan said the U.S. has already replenishing munitions for Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system from U.S. stock that was already staged in country. The U.S. was in the process of sending additional interceptors and the administration was looking at additional ways it can help augment Israel air defense capabilities, Sullivan said.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters traveling with him Tuesday to a Ukraine contact group meeting in Brussels that a small group of U.S. special operations forces is also working with the Israelis to help with planning and intelligence.

Americans have had a gloomy outlook on Biden's performance on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Six in 10 Americans (61%) disapproved of how Biden was handling the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians, according to an August poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. About one-third (35%) of U.S. adults approved, which was slightly lower than Biden's overall approval rating of 42% in the same poll.

Four in 10 Americans (44%) said the U.S. gives about the right amount of support to Israel in the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Republicans were more likely than Democrats to say the U.S. should offer more support to Israel. Four in 10 Americans (42%) said the correct amount of support is given to the Palestinians. Democrats and Independents were more likely than Republicans to say the Palestinians should receive more support.

The current crisis seems certain to further test public sentiment about Biden's Mideast foreign policy approach.

The Biden White House has pointed to its handling of the last conflict between Israel and Gaza in 2021 as playing a crucial part in limiting the length and loss of life in a war that stretched over 11 days and killed at least 250 people in Gaza and 13 in Israel.

During the 2021 conflict, Biden limited his public commentary while pressing Netanyahu in private to end it. His behind-the-scenes effort played out even as some of the president's fellow Democrats pressured him to speak out against the Israelis as the death toll climbed in Gaza and as tens of thousands of Palestinians were displaced by the aerial bombardment, White House officials said at the time.

But this conflict is unlikely to end so quickly. Domestic and international pressure could quickly mount on Biden to pressure Netanyahu to wind down operations to prevent the suffering of innocent Gazans.

Netanyahu said Saturday that civilians in Gaza should leave areas near where Hamas is operating as the Israeli military planned to take defining action against the the militant group.

Sullivan said U.S. government officials have discussed details with Israel and Egyptian officials about where people in Gaza should go.

But Biden seemed to make clear that he's not asking Netanyahu to show restraint.

"Like every nation in the world, Israel has the right to respond, indeed has a duty to respond to these vicious attacks." Biden said.

___

Associated Press writers Issam Adwan, Josh Boak, Seung Min Kim, Lolita C. Baldor, Matthew Lee and Linley Sanders contributed reporting.

��vlog