The Pentagon has reaffirmed the “unbreakable” commitment of the United States with Israel’s right to defend itself and promised to ensure its key ally had the means to do so.
“Our commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself remains unwavering,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement, adding that will work “to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself and protect civilians from indiscriminate violence and terrorism.
Washington has “unequivocally condemned the unjustified attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli civilians,” said Adrienne Watson, spokeswoman for the White House National Security Council. “There is never any justification for terrorism”he added.
For his part, President Joe Biden’s national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, has assured that he is in close contact with his Israeli partners. “We support the government and people of Israel and we send our condolences to the Israelis who lost their lives in these attacks,” the statement added.
At least 40 people have been killed since the start of the Hamas offensive this Saturday, during which rockets were fired towards Israel and gunmen infiltrated Israeli communities, emergency services said.