'Israel has a right to defend itself': US President Joe Biden offers to help Israel amid Hamas attack

Following an attack by the pro-Iran group Hamas on Israel, US President Joe Biden stated on Saturday that the US was prepared to provide “all appropriate means of support” and cautioned “any other party hostile to Israel” not to gain advantage.

While Biden and his staff were attempting to negotiate a normalisation agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia as well as a U.S.-Saudi defence pact, the attack from the Palestinian Islamist organisation broke out.

As violence was being broadcast on American TV networks on Saturday, Biden called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express U.S. solidarity. Despite their tense relationship, the two presidents met in New York last month to show their support for one another.

“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,” Biden said in a statement issued after their call.

“Israel has a right to defend itself and its people. The United States warns against any other party hostile to Israel seeking advantage in this situation,” Biden added.

(With agency inputs)