US President Joe Biden on Saturday decried an “appalling" assault by Hamas on Israel and his administration pledged to ensure its ally has “what it needs to defend itself” after the surprise attack by the Gaza Strip's ruling militants. “Terrorism is never justified. Israel has a right to defend itself and its people,” Biden said. Biden made clear in a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that “we stand ready to offer all appropriate means of support," according to the White House. He also called Jordan's King Abdullah II. Secretary of State Antony Blinken rushed to the White House for meetings and was phoning foreign counterparts, while Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israel's defense minister. Hamas' unprecedented incursion, coming on a major Jewish holiday, was the deadliest attack in Israel in years and was threatening to spiral into a broader conflict after Israel retaliated with airstrikes.