US Palestinian Affairs office deletes post urging all sides to avoid violence after Israel attack

The U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs deleted a post on X early Saturday morning that called for all sides to refrain from violence following the Hamas attack on Israel. 

"We unequivocally condemn the attack of Hamas terrorists and the loss of life that has incurred," the now deleted tweet read. "We urge all sides to refrain from violence and retaliatory attacks. Terror and violence solves nothing."

Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz called the post "disgraceful."

"This is disgraceful and every single person involved in drafting and approving this tweet should be immediately expelled from the U.S. government," Cruz wrote on social media. 

Palestinian terrorists in Gaza launched an attack against Israel on Saturday with rockets and ground forces, inflicting significant casualties. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war following the attack. 

Israel's military confirmed that Hamas is holding Israeli soldiers and civilians captive in Gaza, according to reports. 

The death toll of Israelis has risen to at least 250 with hundreds more wounded, according to CBS.