Biden Calls Hamas Attack on Israel ‘A Sheer Act of Evil,’ Says At Least 14 Americans Dead

President Joe Biden on Tuesday condemned the Hamas’ attack on Israel as “a sheer act of evil,” delivering a forceful tone against the terrorist organization while reaffirming the United States’ steadfast support for Israel.

“There are moments in this life. I mean this literally, when a pure unadulterated evil is unleashed on this world,” Biden said in remarks in the State Dining Room of the White House, flanked by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. “People of Israel live through one such moment this weekend.”

Israel was attacked by Hamas on Saturday, leading to more than 1,000 dead, including at least 14 Americans, Biden said. The president also confirmed there are American hostages and is directing his team to share intelligence with Israeli officials and to deploy experts to consult and advise on recovery efforts.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said at a press briefing Tuesday after Biden's speech that there are "20 or more" U.S. citizens currently unaccounted for in Israel.

The president painted a dire scene in Israel, noting that parents are being butchered while using their bodies to try and protect their children and of “stomach turning reports” of babies being killed.

“The brutality of Hamas, the blood thirstiness brings to mind the worst – the worst – rampages of ISIS,” Biden said. “This is terrorism.”

The president said his administration has also consulted closely with Congress throughout the crisis. He added that they have asked Congress to take “urgent action" to fund the national security requirements of our critical partners” when they return. 

“This is not about party or politics,” Biden said. “It's about the security of our world.”

The Department of Defense on Sunday directed the movement for several military equipment on Sunday, including a Navy aircraft carrier, a guided missile cruiser and a guided missile destroyer.

Biden said Tuesday that the United States is searching for additional military systems, including ammunition and interceptors to replenish Israel’s 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,” Biden said, adding 

While Biden condemned Hamas’ attack, he also rejected any hate directed at Jewish or Muslim Americans.

“There is no place for hate in America. Not against Jews, not against Muslims, not against anybody,” Biden said, saying that what the United States is rejecting is terrorism. “We condemn the indiscriminate evil. Just as we've always done. That's what America stands for.”

Biden and Harris spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the speech. The two leaders also received updates from their national security teams earlier Tuesday on the conflict in Israel and to decide next steps. 

This was the second speech Biden has given on the terrorist attacks since they occurred Saturday.

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