U.S. Secretary of State Blinken arrived in Israel with a message from President Biden

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Benjamin Netanyahu he understood on a personal level 'the harrowing echoes that Hamas' massacres carry for Israeli Jews' and Washington was at Israel's side, as he began a Middle East trip also aimed at containing the conflict.
Blinken will also try to help secure the release of hostages kidnapped by Hamas, some thought to be Americans, and advance talks with Israelis and Egyptians on providing a safe passage for Gaza civilians out of the enclave before a possible Israeli ground invasion.
At least 25 Americans were killed in the Hamas attacks, he said.
"You may be strong enough on your own to defend yourself. But as long as America exists, you will never ever have to. We will always be there by your side," Blinken told Netanyahu.
Hamas is a designated terrorist group backed by Iran and that has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007.
Hamas began firing thousands of rockets on Saturday morning, striking targets as far away as Tel Aviv and the outskirts of Jerusalem, which rarely see any direct hits because of Israel's sophisticated Iron Dome missile defense system.
Backed by a barrage of rockets, Hamas militants stormed from the blockaded Gaza Strip into nearby Israeli towns
The unprecedented attack, which has killed at least 1300 people in Israel, Israel's Army Radio reported Monday. At least 3000 people have been injured, the Israeli Health Ministry said earlier.
More than 100 Israeli civilians, soldiers, and foreign nationals have also been taken hostage by Hamas, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel on Sunday formally declared war on Hamas.