Netanyahu hails Biden backing in war, says Hamas killed 1,400 Israelis

The Israeli president called on countries to rally behind Israel as it wages what he described as a war "between the forces of civilisation and the forces of barbarism"

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the media during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday, Oct 17, 2023. Maya Alleruzzo/R

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked visiting US President Joe Biden on Wednesday for his "unequivocal support" in the Gaza war and gave an updated death toll from the Hamas cross-border attack that triggered it.

"On Oct 7, Hamas murdered 1,400 Israelis, maybe more," Netanyahu told Biden in televised remarks. He called on countries to rally behind Israel as it wages what he described as a war "between the forces of civilisation and the forces of barbarism".