Biden condemns ‘sheer evil’ of Hamas attack, urges Congress on aid for Israel

President Joe Biden on Tuesday decried the brutal Hamas attack that killed hundreds of Israeli civilians as an act of “sheer evil,” and confirmed American hostages were among those taken in the assault.

In a nod to the lengthy conflict ahead, he also appealed to Congress to support aid for the U.S. ally.

“When Congress returns, we’re going to ask them to take urgent action to fund the national security requirements of our critical partners,” Biden said, acknowledging a demand for aid for both Israel and the ongoing war in Ukraine. “This is not about party or politics. It’s about the security of our world. The security of the United States of America.”

The White House address marked the president’s second public response amid the eruption of violence in Israel, and came shortly after Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the administration’s support for the nation. Since Biden first delivered remarks on Saturday after Hamas’ surprise assault on the country, ghastly images have surfaced from the attacks and Israel’s forceful counterattack, fueling fears the conflict might spiral into a larger war.

The carnage has also directly touched the United States: The president, flanked by Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, said at least 14 Americans were among those killed in Israel — an increase from the previously announced toll of 11.

“There are moments in this life … when a pure unadulterated evil is unleashed on this world. People of Israel lived through one such moment this weekend. The bloody hands of the terrorist organization Hamas, a group whose stated purpose for being is to kill Jews. So as an act of sheer evil, more than 1,000 civilians slaughtered in Israel,” Biden said.

“Parents butchered using their bodies to try to protect their children. Stomach-turning reports of babies being killed. Entire families slain. Young people were massacred while attending a musical festival to celebrate peace, to celebrate peace. Women raped, assaulted, paraded as trophies ... This is terrorism.”

National security adviser Jake Sullivan later told reporters that the administration believes at least 20 Americans remain missing in the wake of the attacks. Some were taken hostage, although the U.S. is unsure precisely how many.

Sullivan described joint U.S.-Israeli efforts to find those who are missing or being held hostage as a foremost priority, and he said the administration is sharing intelligence and has deployed government experts to advise Israel on its hostage recovery efforts.

“This is personal for us,” Sullivan said. “This is personal for the American people.”

The White House plans to formally ask Congress for funding to aid Israel in the coming days, as well as renew its request for more money to support the war in Ukraine, though Sullivan would not provide details .

The administration is also pressing the Senate to confirm Jack Lew, Biden’s nominee for ambassador to Israel, as soon as possible following senators’ return to Washington next week.

Speaking from the State Dining room, Biden’s speech represented one of the gravest public addresses of his presidency. At times, Biden appeared to take some effort to contain his fury over an attack he compared to “the worst rampages of ISIS.”

And it comes as the crisis piles on to a growing list of pressures facing the president — posing yet another delicate foreign policy challenge as he seeks reelection, while largely pinning his case on his ability to remain a steady head during times of turmoil.

The president and his top advisers over the weekend held calls with dozens of foreign leaders and allies, pulling together a response while fielding Israel’s requests for aid. The Biden administration surged weapons to Israel on Monday, sending air defenses and munitions.

“So in this moment, we must be crystal clear. We stand with Israel. We stand with Israel. And we will make sure it has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself, respond to this attack,” Biden said.

But Biden’s vows of support also come as the administration navigates growing turmoil at home, with the House lacking a speaker and any coherence for how to rapidly deliver the help that may be needed abroad.

The White House and some Senate lawmakers, including Republican leader Mitch McConnell, have suggested the possibility of folding aid to Israel into a pre-existing funding package for Ukraine. But House Republicans skeptical of sending more money to Ukraine have already signaled they’d oppose such an effort, and there is likely little that Congress can accomplish overall until the GOP settles on a new leader.

The White House has kept in close touch with Senate and House leaders and appropriators, though officials said they’ve not yet settled on a specific path forward for passing any aid. The administration does not expect that Israel will need Congress to approve any additional aid for at least the next several days, giving senators time to return to Washington next week and negotiate its next steps.