Leaders, Lawmakers React to Hamas’s Unprovoked Attacks as Hamas-Israel at War

A rocket is fired from Gaza toward Israel, in Gaza, Oct. 7, 2023. Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters

The sudden and shocking attack on Israel by the Hamas terror group that controls the Gaza Strip on Saturday has prompted leaders and organizations to express condolences for the Israelis killed and support for the country as it reels from the assault.

Israelis in the southern part of the country woke up to the sound of incoming rockets and air raid sirens, with armed Hamas operatives breaching Israel’s fortified fence and entering Israeli communities along the Gaza border by land and sea.

The terrorists clashed with Israeli soldiers, killing some and abducting others, also murdering and kidnapping civilians, including women, children, disabled, and the elderly.

Over 200 Israelis have been killed in the Hamas invasion, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Israel’s health ministry has reported that over 1,452 Israelis have been injured, including 18 in critical condition and 267 severe.

The Gaza Health Ministry has said that the Palestinian death toll has risen to 232 and over 1,600 wounded.

Leaders and organizations in the United States and from across the world have expressed their grief for the lives lost and hope for a resolution of the conflict.

‘It’s Unconscionable’

“The world is seeing appalling images,” President Joe Biden said in a post on X. “Thousands of rockets raining down on Israeli cities. Hamas terrorists killing not only Israeli soldiers, but civilians on the streets and in their homes. It’s unconscionable.”

“Israel has a right to defend itself–full stop,” the president added, with the Israeli Foreign Ministry expressing its appreciation to America’s commander-in-chief.

President Joe Biden, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, addresses the attacks in Israel from the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on Oct, 7, 2023. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

In a speech, President Biden assured Israel that America’s support for its security is “rock solid and unwavering.”

He warned any parties that are hostile towards Israel not to exploit the chaos and attack.

“Let me say this as clearly as I can: This is not a moment for any party hostile to Israel to exploit these attacks to seek advantage,” he said.

“The world is watching.”

‘Act of Savagery’

Former President Donald Trump addressed the Hamas attack in a speech during a campaign rally in Iowa, in which he expressed support for Israel’s promise to respond with force to the assault.

“The Hamas terrorist invasion of Israeli territory and the murder of Israeli soldiers today, and the brutal murder of citizens is an act of savagery that must and will be crushed,“ President Trump said. ”It has to be dealt with very powerfully.”

His remarks came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised speech Saturday that the Hamas attack would not go unpunished.

“We will take mighty vengeance for this black day,” Mr. Netanyahu said.

Calling the Hamas terror group an “enemy that murders mothers and children in their homes, in their beds” and “an enemy that abducts elderly, children, teenage girls,” he called on Palestinian civilians in Gaza to “leave now” because the Israeli military is going to “turn all Hamas hiding places into rubble.”

In his speech in Iowa, President Trump blamed President Biden’s “really weak” leadership for incentivizing the assault.

“The Israeli attack was made because we are perceived as being weak and ineffective—and with a really weak leader.”

Former President Donald Trump speaks during a rally in Waterloo, Iowa, on Oct. 7, 2023. Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP/Getty Images

‘Never Any Justification for Terrorism’

Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council, issued a statement saying that the United States “unequivocally condemns” the unprovoked attacks against Israeli civilians.

“There is never any justification for terrorism,” she said, adding that National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had spoken to Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi and that U.S. officials remain in “close contact” with their counterparts in Israel to offer support.

Congressional lawmakers from both sides of the aisle expressed their support—and their condolences.

“The Committee on Homeland Security condemns the Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists’ brazen and brutal attacks on innocent Israeli civilians, including women and children. We are closely monitoring the situation and its implications for homeland security,” the House Homeland Security Republicans said in a post on X.

“Make no mistake, the United States stands shoulder-to-shoulder with our indispensable ally Israel,” the committee added.

A rescuer walks in front of a damaged shop in Tel Aviv, after it was hit by a rocket fired by Hamas terrorists from the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023. Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images

‘Appalling Act of Violence’

Members of the U.S. Senate expressed shock and dismay at the attacks, while pledging support for Israel in one of its darker hours.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) took to social media to express his outrage at the attacks.

“The attack we saw on Israel is an appalling act of violence at the hands of a terrorist organization,” he wrote in a post on X. “My commitment and America’s commitment to Israel remains steadfast as they confront this continued terror.”

Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) blamed over two years of lax sanctions enforcement and waivers that “enabled Iran to bankroll terrorist proxies who seek to murder Israeli civilians & U.S. personnel.”

“Today we saw the results,” he said in a post on X.

The U.S. embassy in Jerusalem has issued several security alerts in response to the attacks, including a “shelter in place” warning for embassy staff due to ongoing violence, prohibiting U.S. government personnel from traveling to Gaza and areas within seven miles of Gaza.

There have not been any confirmed reports of U.S. citizens affected by the Hamas attack.

In a series of posts on X, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) described the unprecedented attack as “heartbreaking,” while calling on the Biden administration to halt any and all aid to the Palestinian Authority and “the Iran-backed terrorist group Hamas.”

“President Trump cut U.S. aid to Palestine,” she wrote. “President Biden reversed this decision and sent hundreds of millions of dollars to Palestine.”

Ms. Blackburn urged the Biden administration to provide Israel with all the arms it needs “to protect and defend itself against the unprovoked terrorist attack by Hamas.”

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), urged lawmakers to set aside their differences and stand by the Israeli people.

“These early images of the carnage in Israel are gut wrenching. Let’s set aside our politics today and support our ally Israel,” he said in a post on X.

Police officers evacuate a woman and a child from a site hit by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, southern Israel, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov

‘Deadly Act of War’

Members of the House of Representatives expressed their support for Israel while condemning the terror attacks.

“Israel must defend itself from this deadly act of war & the U.S. must boldly support our strongest ally in the Middle East. My prayers are with our friends in Israel as they mourn this devastating loss, work to save those injured & fight to protect their blessed nation,” Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) said in a post on X.

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said in a post on X that his “thoughts are with the families of the victims during this dark day.”

“I strongly condemn the Hamas attacks on Israel, their hostage taking, and their violence against civilians. The senseless violence is abhorrent and completely unacceptable,” he said.

The Hamas attack took place on the 50th anniversary of a 1973 war in which Israel’s Arab neighbors launched a surprise attack.

Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.) said in a post on X that, “50 years ago, the U.S. was reluctant to support Israel during the Yom Kippur War” but that “we cannot make the same mistake today.”

Ms. Tenney said she would be introducing a bill to give Israel additional support for its Iron Dome anti-missile defense shield.

“I call on my colleagues on both sides to join me and quickly bring this bill to the floor,” she said.

House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) said in a series of posts on X that the Biden administration should be held accountable for “its appeasement of these Hamas terrorists” and called for a clear-eyed take on the situation.

“The videos coming out of Israel are horrific. We cannot allow anyone to lie about what’s happening here or call it anything other than what it is: terrorism against innocent Israeli civilians and war waged on our ally. Period,” he said.

Numerous videos have been posted on social media appearing to show armed Hamas operatives abducting people and, in some cases, beating and abusing them. Among them was a video showing what appeared to be a lifeless and mostly unclothed body of a young Israeli woman in the back of a pickup truck surrounded by Hamas terrorists.

The Israel Foreign Ministry account on X shared various messages of support sent by governments and organizations from around the world.

Some of the images shared showed the Israeli flag being projected onto iconic landmarks, such as the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany.

“In solidarity with Israel,” wrote German Chancellor Olaf Sholz in a post on X.