Defense Secretary Austin: 'The deliberate cruelty of Hamas vividly reminds me of ISIS'

TEL AVIV - OCTOBER 13: Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (L) meets with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (R) in Tel Aviv, Israel on October 13, 2023. (Photo by Ariel Hermoni (GPO) / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Friday that "the deliberate cruelty of Hamas vividly reminds me of ISIS." 

Speaking at a joint press conference with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant, Austin reiterated that American support for Israel is "ironclad." He condemned those who refuse to acknowledge the atrocities committed by Hamas.

"This is no time for neutrality, or for false equivalence or for excusing the inexcusable," Austin said. "There is never any justification for terrorism, and that's especially true after this rampage by Hamas. And anyone who wants lasting peace for this region must condemn and isolate Hamas. 

He continued: "Hamas does not speak for the Palestinian people or their legitimate hopes for dignity, security, and statehood and peace alongside Israel. As a former commander of Central Command, the deliberate cruelty of Hamas vividly reminds me of ISIS: bloodthirsty, fanatical and hateful. And just like ISIS, Hamas has nothing to offer but zealotry, bigotry and death." 

Austin pledged that the United States would continue to ensure Israel "has what it needs to defend itself." 

"At President Biden's direction, we have moved urgently to respond to this crisis and to send a strong message of deterrence. The U.S.S. General Ford carrier strike group is now in the region, led by the largest aircraft carrier in the world," Austin said. He added that U.S. fighter aircraft squadrons are standing by in the Middle East to respond if needed.