Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday afternoon held a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
At the start of the conference, Netanyahu thanked Secretary Blinken for the United States' ongoing support of Israel.
He added, "Hamas has shown itself to be an enemy of civilization. The murder of parents in front of their children and children in front of their parents, the burning of people alive, the beheadings and kidnappings, the molesting, the sickening display of celebration of these horrors, prove that Hamas is ISIS, and as ISIS was crushed, so too will Hamas be crushed."
Blinken opened his statements by saying, "I have come before you not only as the United States Secretary of State, but also as a Jew."
"As much as we have been shocked by the depravity of Hamas - killing children in front of their parents, raping women, burning people alive - we have been inspired by the bravery and solidarity of Israeli citizens."
He added, "Israel has long prided itself on its self-reliance, being able to defend itself by itself. The message I bring with me is that you will never have to - we will always be there, by your side."
"Our first shipment of defense materials is already in Israel - interceptors and ammunition, as well as defense personnel - and more is on the way. There is overwhelming bipartisan support for Israel in Congress, and as the security needs evolve, we will make sure our aid does as well."
Blinken stressed, "I repeat the warning of President Biden to any adversary, state or non-state, thinking of taking advantage of the crisis to attack Israel - don't. The US has Israel's back."
"We have been adamant to every leader - there is no excuse or justification for these atrocities. Anyone who wants peace and justice must condemn Hamas."
At the same time, Blinken stressed, "We know Hamas doesn't represent the Palestinian people, or their legitimate aspirations to live with equal measures of security, freedom, justice, opportunity, and dignity. It rules repressively and dedicates the resources it has to terror tunnels and rockets. It didn't commit it's heinous acts with the interests of Palestinians in mind, and does not stand for the future Palestinians want for their people or their children."
He underlined that, "No country would tolerate the slaughter of its citizens, or return to the state that would allow this to happen again. Israel has the right and obligation to ensure that this never happens again."
"What sets democracies apart from terrorists is the value we place on life and dignity, and that's what makes us who we are. That's why we hold ourselves to a different standard and examine ourselves when we fall short. That's why it's important to take every possible precaution to avoid harming civilians, and why we mourn the loss of every innocent life."
"The death toll continues to rise, among them at least 25 American citizens," he noted.
"We will confront what is worst in humanity with what is best. We will provide an alternative to the vision of nihilism and terror presented by Hamas. That is what we will do - standing wth Israel, working together with its people, and all those in this region who remain committed to a vision of a more peaceful, integrated, secure, and prosperous Middle East."