Blinken calls Dermer to reiterate ‘profound condolences,’ reaffirm ‘unequivocal US support for Israel’

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke on the phone today with Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and reiterated “his profound condolences for the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel,” the State Department says.
Blinken also “reaffirmed unequivocal US support for Israel’s right to defend itself and its citizens against this attack.”
Blinken and Dermer agree that Hamas’ shocking terror onslaught on Saturday in which its terrorists killed children, women elderly people, and captured over 100, “have no justification, no legitimacy, and must be universally condemned,” says the statement, issued by State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller.
Blinken earlier spoke to Israeli President Isaac Herzog and is set to visit Israel on Thursday in a show of “solidarity and support” from the Biden administration.
Tomorrow, I will leave for Israel to engage with our Israeli partners directly about the situation on the ground and to discuss ways we can continue to support them in the fight against these terrorist attacks. Our support for Israel remains unwavering.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) October 10, 2023