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US President Joe Biden is making a televised address about the situation in and around Israel on Tuesday — his first public comments since Sunday.
While the 80-year-old has staunchly backed Israel, his response to the threat of a regional war and a possible hostage crisis is likely to be closely scrutinized.
The White House on Tuesday said it was taking Hamas threats to execute hostages seriously, with US citizens thought likely to be among them.
Hamas, which rules the coastal Gaza Strip, is classified as a terrorist organization by the EU, the US and Israel, among others. The militant group launched its attacks on Israel on Saturday, with hundreds killed on both sides in the fighting as Israel responded with air strikes.
At least 11 US citizens were among the dead.
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris also spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday.
They would “discuss our support for Israel” after the talks with Netanyahu and would explore efforts to “deter other hostile actors from exploiting this attack on Israel.”
The reference may have been to both Iran, which backs Hamas, and the militant group Hezbollah operating from southern Lebanon.
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