Washington, D.C. – October 7, 2023
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the recent series of attacks by Hamas in Israel, the White House confirmed on October 7.
In a statement, the White House stated, “Senior national security officials briefed the president this morning on the appalling Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel.” The administration further assured that President Biden will continue to receive updates on the evolving situation.
The United States government remains in close contact with its Israeli counterparts as the situation unfolds, emphasizing the importance of maintaining strong communication during this challenging time.
The crisis emerged when Hamas, the Palestinian militant organization, initiated a surprise attack on Israel early on Saturday. The attack encompassed rocket launches from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory, coupled with militants infiltrating several different locations within Israel, as reported by the Israeli Defense Forces.
Retired Israeli Brigadier General Amir Avivi, in an interview with The Epoch Times, expressed concern over the apparent intelligence lapse that allowed Hamas operatives to enter Israeli territory unhindered. He described it as “an intelligence failure” and noted that Israel was taken by surprise, with insufficient forces deployed in response to the threat. Avivi emphasized the need for a decisive response, stating, “We need to enter Gaza and defeat Hamas.”
Israeli military officials have confirmed that several Israeli towns and cities near the Gaza Strip are currently under Hamas control, further exacerbating the tense situation.
As this remains a developing story, updates will be provided as the situation evolves.