Al-Aqsa Storm: Biden says the US ‘stands with Israel’

Hours after the surprise Hamas offensive on Isreal named Al-Aqsa Storm, President Joe Biden offered strong US support for Israel on Saturday in a TV address from the White House.

“The United States stands with Israel,” US President Biden said.

“We will never fail to have their back. We’ll make sure they have the help their citizens need and they can continue to defend themselves.”

Mr. Biden added the attacks were “unconscionable” and a “terrible tragedy on a human level.”

UD President also warned regional powers not to exploit the fighting and touch off a broader conflict.

“This is not a moment for any party hostile to Israel to exploit these attacks seeking advantage,” Mr Biden said, adding, that “The world is watching.”

Earlier on Saturday, the White House in a statement said that Mr Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu  and condemned the “appalling Hamas terrorist attacks.”

“I made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu that we stand ready to offer all appropriate means of support to the Government and people of Israel,” President Biden said in a White House statement on Saturday morning.

“Terrorism is never justified. Israel has a right to defend itself and its people.”

In a surprise attack early on Saturday, Hamas fighters entered several Israeli towns and military bases in the Gaza Strip.

As reported, the Israeli death toll has risen to 200 as Hamas’s “Operation Al-Aqsa Storm” rages on.

On the other hand, at least 232 Palestinians have so far been martyred and 1,610 wounded in the Gaza Strip in Israel’s retaliatory air strikes.

Israel’s N12 News Quoting Israel’s health ministry said the ongoing Hamas attack claimed the lives of at least 200 Israelis and left more than 1,100 wounded.

According to the Palestinian health ministry up until 4:20 pm (1320 GMT) there were “232 martyrs and 1,610 wounded with different injuries” in the conflict.

Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif  in a rare public statement said that 5,000 rockets had been fired into Israel to begin what it called “Operation Al-Aqsa Storm.”