U.S. Political Leaders Vow Support for Israel After Deadly Attacks by Hamas Militant Group

Political leaders in the U.S. have vowed to support Israel after the Iran-backed Hamas militant group launched a bloody, early-morning surprise attack on Saturday. The unprecedented Hamas assault has left more than 700 people dead in Israel, with more than 2,000 others injured. Many Israelis, both civilians and security forces, have reportedly been taken hostage.

The multi-front attack began with a barrage of thousands of rockets fired at Israel from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and then expanded as the Palestinian gunmen invaded southern Israel by land, sea and even on paragliders. In a televised address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country was “at war” and swore the Palestinian militants would “pay an unprecedented price.”

Almost 500 Palestinians have been killed in retaliatory Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, Palestinian health officials said Monday.

Read the source article at CBS News