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Washington: US authorities are monitoring domestic threats in connection with the Hamas attack on Israel and security has been ramped at Jewish centres across America as tensions escalate over the conflict.
Declaring that “this is not a distant tragedy,” President Joe Biden has also confirmed that the number of Americans killed in the attack had risen to 11, but many more were still unaccounted for or believed to be among the hostages held by the terrorist group Hamas.
Supporters of Israel and Palestine gather at the Israeli consulate in New York on Monday.Credit: AP
“The safety of American citizens – whether at home or abroad – is my top priority as president,” Biden said in a statement.
“I have directed my team to work with their Israeli counterparts on every aspect of the hostage crisis, including sharing intelligence and deploying experts from across the United States government to consult with and advise Israeli counterparts on hostage recovery efforts.”
Washington believes it is likely US citizens are also among those being held hostage by Hamas, Biden said in a statement.
The president’s comments came after Israel ordered a “complete siege” of Gaza on Monday, as Hamas, the group controlling the region, threatened to execute a hostage every time an unannounced airstrike hits Gazans in their homes. Hamas has been declared by the US, the European Union and Australia, among others, as a terrorist organisation.
Supporters of Israel gather near the Israeli Consulate in New York, Monday, Oct. 9.Credit: AP
In the US, the growing crisis spilt out into protests across American cities, highlighted the consequences of a paralysed Congress which is without a House Speaker, and placed Biden’s foreign policy credentials under scrutiny ahead of next year’s election.
In New York, supporters of Israel and Palestine clashed outside the Israeli embassy as some took to the streets to support Palestinians and condemn Israel’s retaliatory attacks.
In New Hampshire, former president Donald Trump used a campaign event to renew calls for a travel ban on residents from “terror-afflicted countries” coming to the US, similar to the anti-Muslim travel ban he pushed in office.
Israel retaliates for the weekend’s bloody assault. Palestinian citizens inspect damage to a mosque and their homes following Israeli air strikes on Monday.Credit: Getty
And in Washington, Republicans came under growing pressure to elect a new Speaker to replace ousted leader Kevin McCarthy amid fears the vacuum could hamper approval by Congress of more aid to Israel.
Former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy Credit: AP
In an unusual public holiday press conference at Capitol Hill on Monday, McCarthy – who has led a delegation to Israel every year – called on Biden to find any American hostages immediately, warning that the US could not afford “another Afghanistan” where its citizens were left behind.
But he also hit out at the Republican internal war that led to his historic removal last week, and did not rule out the possibility of a comeback if his party failed to find a Speaker swiftly when it meets on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT).
“I’ll allow the conference to make whatever decision,” McCarthy replied when asked if he would consider running for his old job, in a notable shift from last week when he declared he would not be seeking to return.
The multi-front attack by Hamas from air, land and sea has so far killed at least 900 people with thousands of others injured or taken hostage.
As images of the atrocities played out on American cable networks over the weekend, Biden vowed “rock solid and unwavering support” for Israel and declared that the country “has the right to defend itself and its people. Full stop”.
Israeli armoured personnel carriers drive towards the Israeli southern border with the Gaza Strip.Credit: Getty
The Pentagon has also positioned US ships and aircraft closer to Israel in a show of strength, and is meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s requests for additional munitions and aid.
But with a ground invasion seemingly imminent, the White House has refused to say whether it will stand by Israel “for as long as it takes” – the same commitment it has given to Ukraine in its war against Russia.
Asked if the US could end up joining the war as the conflict escalated, National Security Council Coordinator John Kirby said “there’s no intention to put US boots on the ground” but added: “That said… President Biden will always make sure that we are protecting and defending our national security interests, wherever those interests are, including, particularly in that part of the world.”
As the death count of American citizens grew, Biden came under attack by those who believe he has been too weak on Iran, which is a known backer of Hamas.
In particular, the administration has been criticised over its recent decision to unfreeze $US6 billion ($9.3 billion) in frozen Iranian funds in exchange for the freedom of five wrongfully detained American citizens.
Biden vowed to do whatever he could to assist Americans in Israel, as well as those affected at home.
“The ties between Israel and the United States run deep. It is personal for so many American families who are feeling the pain of this attack, as well as the scars, inflicted through millennia of antisemitism and persecution of Jewish people.
“In cities across the country, police departments have stepped up security around centres of Jewish life, and the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other federal law enforcement partners are closely monitoring for any domestic threats in connection with the horrific terrorist attacks in Israel.”
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