Several Republican presidential candidates expressed support for Israel on Saturday after Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists invaded the country’s south, killing at least 100 people.
Local Israeli media reported that at least 100 people were killed in widespread attacks, while Gaza health authorities said 198 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes in response to Hamas attacks. Hospitals are treating at least 561 injured people, including 77 in critical condition, the Associated Press reported, based on official statements and hospital calls.
“Dear Israelis, we are at war. We are at war, not on operations or patrols,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video message early Saturday.
Emergency crews were called out around the Gaza Strip and sirens wailed across Israel. Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, the largest city in southern Israel, is treating 140 injured people, including 20 in critical condition. Some of these injured are civilians. Another hospital in Ashkelon is treating 94 injured victims in various conditions.
Hamas launches unprecedented attack on Israel, killing at least 100 people, Prime Minister Netanyahu says country is in a ‘state of war’
On October 7, 2023, in the Gaza Strip, the Al Qassam Brigades, an armed wing of the Palestinian resistance group Hamas, destroys an Israeli tank amid heavy smoke near the Israeli-Gaza border in the Gaza Strip. (Abd Rahim Khatib/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Former President Donald Trump, who maintained good relations with Israel during his time in the White House, called the attack a “disgrace” and said Israel should defend itself with “overwhelming force.” .
“These Hamas attacks are shameful and Israel has every right to defend itself with overwhelming force,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “Sadly, these Hamas attacks are being financed by is being funded with American tax dollars, but many reports say the funding is coming from the Biden administration.”
“We brought a lot of peace to the Middle East through the Abraham Accords, only to see Biden chipping away at it much faster than anyone thought. Here we go again.” Ta.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also weighed in on the issue, expressing similar sentiments after the first attack.
In a video message shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, DeSantis declared: “America supports Israel.”
“Israel is currently under attack,” DeSantis said in the video. “I stand with Israel. America stands with Israel. They not only have a right to protect themselves, but they also have an obligation to protect themselves from Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists. Iran supports Israel. “Having been generous with Iran has helped line their coffers. Israel is now funding those policies. “We are paying the price,” he said.
He added: “We support the state of Israel. They need to eradicate Hamas and we need to stand up to Iran.”
Nikki Haley, a former U.N. ambassador and South Carolina governor from 2011 to 2017, also said the time was right to help Israel protect itself from “a bloodthirsty terrorist organization backed by Iran.” insisted.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu declares war after Hamas terrorists launch major attack: Live updates
From left to right: former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, former President Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott. (Scott Olson, Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images)
“Hamas declared war on Israel to coincide with the Jewish holiday of Shemini Atzeret and the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War. Make no mistake: Hamas is a bloodthirsty terrorist organization backed by Iran. “We are determined to kill as many innocent lives as possible,” Haley said. he said in a statement Saturday morning. “Reports from Israel are horrifying and should be widely condemned, with an alarming number of deaths and injuries.”
“Israel has every right to protect its people from terrorism. We must always stand with Israel against this Iranian regime,” he added.
Tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswami echoes his fellow Republicans, saying the terrorists behind the attacks on Israel “cannot be allowed to flourish” and questioning Israel’s right to defend itself. He said it shouldn’t be done.
“We are appalled by the barbaric, medieval Hamas attacks.” Ramaswami wrote In a post on No. I support Israel and so should the United States.” ”
Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina called for U.S. aid to Israel and condemned the attack, saying, like many other Republicans, President Biden “funded attacks on Israel.” he suggested.
“Today’s Hamas terrorist attack on Israel is an attack on Western civilization,” Scott said in a statement released by his campaign. “But the truth is that Joe Biden funded these attacks on Israel. America’s weakness is when the bad guys shed blood, but this is worse than that. We only invited this invasion. “Iran is the biggest attack on Hamas, and they paid the price.” This is the $6 billion ransom Biden paid at his workplace. ”
Scott added: “Israel must protect its people and state, and the United States must do everything in its power to support our ally Israel.” “As Psalm 122:6 encourages us, we must pray for peace in Jerusalem.”
Smoke rises over Gaza City on October 7, 2023, during an Israeli airstrike. (MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images)
Former Vice President Mike Pence also voiced support for the country, saying the attack was due to Biden’s “weakness” on the world stage.
“This is what happens when @POTUS projects weakness on the world stage, bows down to the Iranian mullahs with a $6 billion ransom, and Republican leaders signal America’s withdrawal as leader of the free world. Weakness. evokes evil.” Pence wrote in the post: Shared with X.
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“It’s time to restore peace through force. It’s time to return to American leadership. It’s time to let Hamas and the terrorists in Tehran know… America stands with Israel,” Pence added.
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum criticized the attack on social media and called on the US to provide Israel with its “fullest support.”
“Iran and its sponsors of terror in Gaza are exposing their true colors to the world: pure evil. Israel is at war with brutal terrorists, and the United States is providing full support to our democratic allies. must be provided.” Burgum wrote At the X post. “Our prayers go out to all the victims of these horrific attacks. We must also not forget who is paying for this terrorism: Iran. Thanks to Joe Biden. And Iran became billions of dollars richer.”
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie also condemned Biden’s attacks on Israel, writing in X: “Biden’s appeasement of Israel’s enemies led to this war against Israel. Appeasement everywhere… It will never work. We must do whatever it takes to support the State of Israel.” “At a time of grave crisis, we must end the scourge of Iranian-backed terrorism. , funded by Biden’s $6 billion release to the stupid Iranians.”
“Hamas’ war against Israel is the second war started under President Biden’s failure. First by Russia in Ukraine, and now by Hamas in Israel. Both with strong American leadership. “Under my president, America will restore the deterrence that Biden had,” which was foolishly given to him. Christie added In the post.
Hamas military leader Mohammad Deif announced the start of an operation calling on Palestinians from all over the country to attack Israel.
“Today is the day of the greatest battle to end the last occupation of Earth,” he said in a Hamas media broadcast, noting that 5,000 rockets were fired.
People hold Palestinian flags as smoke rises near the Israel-Gaza border in the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023. (Abd Rahim Khatib/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Israeli media said gunmen opened fire on passersby in the southern Israeli town of Sderot, and footage of the fight showed. assault on the street.
“A large number of terrorists have entered Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip,” the Israeli military said in a statement.
residents of Areas surrounding the Gaza Strip They are urged to stay at home.
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In the Gaza Strip, residents reported armed clashes along the separation fence with Israel near the southern town of Khan Yunis, and the sounds of rocket fire could be heard. Residents said they witnessed large movements of armed fighters.
US National Security Council spokesperson Adrian Watson “unequivocally” condemned the attack, saying it was unjustified and stressing that “there is never any justification for terrorism.”
FOX News’ Landon Mion and Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.
