Biden strongly condemns Hamas attacks on Israel by confirming US hostages

President Joe Biden confirmed Tuesday that Hamas is holding Americans hostage after its weekend rampage, expressing anger and expecting a strong Israeli response.

The president described militants as having “butchered” and “massacred” innocents. The known number of Americans killed is 14, Biden said.

Biden warned other regional governments not to exploit the attack, describing it as “sheer evil”: “One word: Don’t.”

Biden, who spoke with Netanyahu earlier, imagined the country's response.

“I told him that if the United States experienced what Israel is experiencing, our response would be swift, decisive, and overwhelming,” Biden said from the State Dining Room.

American hostages were taken by Hamas since the attack on Saturday, as assumed by administration officials but confirmed by Biden's speech.

Later, Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said the administration believes “20 or more Americans” are missing from Israel Tuesday, but that number does not necessarily reflect Hamas hostages.

“As president, I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans being held hostage around the world,” he said.

The president said he will ask Congress for more funding to help Israel defend its territory and people.

Biden said any response must follow the law because that distinguished Israel and the US from Hamas militants.

“Terrorists purposely target civilians, kill them. We uphold the laws of war. It matters. There’s a difference,” Biden said.