WASHINGTON, DC: In a dramatic address on the recent attacks in Israel which killed more than 1,000 people, President Joe Biden said 14 Americans have been killed and further promised to stand with Israel.
His speech on Tuesday, October 10, comes three days after his short video statement following the initial attack on Saturday, October 7.
Biden was criticized as he abruptly left his Tuesday, October 10, speech while he was already under fire over his slow-moving response to the crisis and also for hosting a barbecue for his staff on Sunday, October 8, reports Daily Mail.
Joe Biden condemns the 'unadulterated evil' of the attacks
Flanked by Vice-President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Biden, who spoke on Tuesday afternoon, October 10, expressed his anger at the horrifying attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas and emphasized that US citizens were among civilians who were captured by the gunmen.
"You know there are moments in this life — I mean this literally — when a pure, unadulterated evil is unleashed on this world," he stated.
"The people of Israel lived through one such moment this weekend," Biden added.
Joe Biden reveals details of his call with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu
In his speech, Biden further mentioned about his third phone call in four days with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"I told him, 'If the United States experienced what you're experiencing, our response would be swift decisive, and overwhelming," Biden revealed.
Joe Biden confirms Americans being held hostages in Gaza
Without disclosing further details in his remark on Tuesday, October 10, Biden said, "We now know that American citizens are among those being held by Hamas."
Following the President's speech, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan disclosed to reporters that at least 20 Americans were reported missing in Israel.
"We do not know about their condition and we cannot confirm a precise number of American citizens," said Sullivan.
Joe Biden criticized for refusing to take questions after speech
As Biden abruptly left after his seven-minute speech on Tuesday, October 10, he was slammed for refusing to take questions from the reporters regarding the ongoing crisis.
One Twitter user wrote, "He is not able to take questions. It is all he can do to read a thoroughly rehearsed statement from the teleprompter."
Another one wrote, "And the sun also rose in the east. The only surprise would be if he had taken questions. They won’t let him, and they shouldn’t. He’s incapable."
"He never answers questions," a user tweeted while someone tweeted, "His team won’t allow questions as they are terrified of his answers."
