WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
The United States Office for Palestinian Affairs called on Israelis to “refrain from violence and retaliatory attacks” in response to Hamas attacking Israel — then deleted the message.
“We unequivocally condemn the attack of Hamas terrorists and the loss of life that has incurred. We urge all sides to refrain from violence and retaliatory attacks. Terror and violence solve nothing,” the office posted Saturday on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Why is @JoeBiden administration telling Israel not to respond to the horrific evil being perpetrated by Palestinian terrorists?” Etan Fischberger asked on X.
Smoke can be seen in the Rehovot area as rockets are launched from the Gaza Strip into Israel on Saturday. REUTERSAfter deleting the message, the office wrote it was “monitoring” the situation.
“The U.S. Embassy is closely monitoring the security situation as a result of rockets fired from Gaza across southern and central Israel. U.S. citizens are reminded to remain vigilant and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness,” according to the subsequent post on X.
Later, the account reposted a statement from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemning the attack.
Police evacuated a woman and child from the site of a rocket attack in Israel during Saturday’s violence. AP
Lourdes Lamela, acting chief of the US Office of Palestinian Affairs, and her team called on Israelis to “refrain from violence and retaliatory attacks” and then deleted the message, according to reports. AFP via Getty Images“We unequivocally condemn the appalling attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israel. We stand in solidarity with the government and people of Israel and extend our condolences for the Israeli lives lost in these attacks,” the statement said.
Israel-Hamas war: How we got here
2005: Israel unilaterally withdraws from the Gaza Strip more than three decades after winning the territory from Egypt in the Six-Day War.
2006: Terrorist group Hamas wins a Palestinian legislative election.
2007: Hamas seizes control of Gaza in a civil war.
2008: Israel launches military offensive against Gaza after Palestinian terrorists fired rockets into the town of Sderot.
2023: Hamas launches the biggest attack on Israel in 50 years, in an early-morning ambush Oct. 7, firing thousands of rockets and sending dozens of militants into Israeli towns.
Terrorists killed more than 1,200 Israelis, wounded more than 4,200, and took at least 200 hostage.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to announce, “We are at war,” and vowed Hamas would pay “a price it has never known.”
The Gaza Health Ministry — which is controlled by Hamas — reported at least 3,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 12,500 injured since the war began.
The ruling Hamas militant group in the Gaza Strip carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel at daybreak, firing thousands of rockets as dozens of fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border in several locations by air, land, and sea, catching the country off guard on a major holiday.
