Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Thursday morning to show his support for Israel, a long-time ally after the terrorist attacks by Hamas on the country Saturday.

Blinken and other officials were greeted at the Ben Gurion Airport, located on the edge of Tel Aviv, by Israeli Foreign Ministry Eli Cohen.

Steve Gillen, the Deputy Special Representative for Hostage Affair’s Steve Gillen, and Blinken traveled together to Israel to prioritise the mission of urging Hamas release all hostages as soon as possible.

Blinken is scheduled to meet with Israeli leaders including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog. He will also “reiterate” his condolences and “condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms,” according to a Tuesday statement released by his office. Blinken is also expected meet the team from the US Embassy in Jerusalem.

Blinken, according to the website of Secretary of State, is scheduled to travel before his departure scheduled for Friday, October 13.

Blinken, who left Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday morning for Washington D.C., denounced Hamas’ terrorism and reiterated America’s plan to “ensure Israel receives everything it needs to protect itself and ensure the security of its citizens”.

“We are firmly against terrorism.” Blinken, a reporter, said: “We’ve seen Hamas commit the most horrific acts against Israeli men and women as well as children.” Every day, we learn more about this. It is heartbreaking. We have not seen such depravity since ISIS, and will continue to fight it resolutely.

Israel launched a counteroffensive, and bombed the Gaza Strip controlled by Hamas with airstrikes, in what many think will be a prelude to a ground campaign.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Sunday that in addition to military assistance, the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group would be moving to the Mediterranean region to strengthen deterrence.