President Biden on Tuesday denounced the “unadulterated evil” of Hamas’ terrorist attacks on Israel, saying Washington will surge ammunition to the Israeli military, bolster U.S. defense forces in the region and beef up security around centers of Jewish life in the U.S.

In an address from the White House, Mr. Biden said at least 14 U.S. citizens have been killed in the attacks and that an unknown number of Americans are being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.

“This is an act of sheer evil, more than 1,000 civilians slaughtered in Israel,” Mr. Biden said. “Israel has a right to respond, indeed has a duty to respond.”

The president said he will ask Congress for more “urgent” aid to fund “our partners,” apparently a reference to both Israel and Ukraine. Congress is already debating the administration’s request for tens of billions more for Ukraine in its war against Russian invaders.

The live address came as congressional Republicans are urging Mr. Biden to reverse his decision to free up $6 billion in funds for Iran, an issue quickly becoming a rallying cry for the GOP. Hamas is backed by Iran.

Mr. Biden compared the atrocities committed by Hamas to “the worst rampages of ISIS.”

“This is terrorism,” the president said. “We must be crystal clear. We stand with Israel. There’s no justification for terrorism.”

• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.