Biden Administration Condemns Hamas Attack on Israel In Blistering Statement: ‘Never Any Justification For Terrorism’

President Joe Biden’s administration condemned the shocking attacks on Israel by Hamas militants that have thus far left at least 40 dead and many times that number wounded.

News broke Saturday morning of a massive barrage of rocket fire from Gaza and attacks by Hamas gunmen on border communities in the south of the country in what’s being described as a highly coordinated and unprecedented attack that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says has plunged his country into a state of war.

In a statement emailed to Mediaite Saturday morning, NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson denounced the attacks and affirmed the U.S. alliance with Israel in the first administration comments on the attack:

Statement from NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson Condemning Terrorist Attacks Against Israel

The United States unequivocally condemns the unprovoked attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli civilians. There is never any justification for terrorism. We stand firmly with the Government and people of Israel and extend our condolences for the Israeli lives lost in these attacks. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has spoken to Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi and we remain in close contact with our Israeli partners.

A White House official tells Mediaite “Senior national security officials briefed the President this morning on the appalling Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel. The President will continue to receive updates and White House officials remain in close contact with Israeli partners.”

According to CNN, the known death toll has climbed to 40, with many more wounded:

At least 40 people have been killed since Hamas launched its Saturday morning surprise attack on Israel, the country’s emergency service said.

Another 779 people have been wounded, according to the Israeli Health Ministry.

Netanyahu promised to “exact a huge price” for the attacks:

“Since this morning, the State of Israel has been at war. Our first goal is first of all to cleanse the area of the enemy forces that have infiltrated and restore security and peace to the towns that were attacked.

The second goal, at the same time, is to exact a huge price from the enemy, also in the Gaza Strip. The third goal is to fortify other arenas so that no one makes the mistake of joining this war.

We are at war, in war you have to keep calm. I call on all citizens of Israel to unite, to achieve our highest goal — victory in the war.’

President Biden is expected to address the attacks later on Saturday.