10,000 Hamas terrorists are embedded among civilians in Rafah – the last Hamas stronghold in Gaza – despicably using Palestinians as human shields. Today, White House spokesperson John Kirby reaffirmed America’s support for Israel as it fights to destroy the terrorists in the southern city along the Egyptian border.
"We understand that their Hamas leadership, in fact full Hamas units are now operating in Rafah, mixing among the civilians, trying to find refuge there. That's classic Hamas conduct and that's inexcusable and Israel has a right to go after them," Kirby said.
Israel believes the IDF has killed 12,000 of Hamas’ estimated 30,000 fighters, with thousands more seriously wounded and unable to fight.
"We still have a long way to go," IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said today as the military continues its fight to eliminate the threat from Hamas and free the hostages. He added that Israel is fighting "a long and just war...We act like human beings and, unlike our enemy, maintain our humanity. We must be careful not to use force where it is not required, to distinguish between a terrorist and those who are not."
U.S. vetoes anti-Israel U.N. Security Council resolution
The United States vetoed an anti-Israel resolution at the U.N. Security Council today, which demanded an immediate ceasefire. The White House reiterated its position that a ceasefire now would leave Hamas armed, in power, and ready to fulfill its promise to carry out another October 7.
"We still don’t believe that this is the right time for a general ceasefire that leaves Hamas in control and alleviates any responsibility for them to release the hostages," John Kirby said.
AIPAC released the following statement today in response to the U.S. veto:
We commend the Biden administration for vetoing the anti-Israel Security Council resolution introduced by Algeria, a close ally of Putin.
The pervasive and systemic anti-Israel biases throughout the UN system make it the wrong venue to adjudicate these complex issues.
America must continue to stand with our ally Israel in its campaign to drive Hamas from power, ensure Hamas can never fulfill its vow to repeat October 7, and free the hostages.
U.S. prepares new arms shipment to Israel, rejects accusations of human rights abuses
The Biden administration is reportedly preparing to send a new weapons shipment to Israel, estimated to be worth tens of millions of dollars. These arms will help ensure Israel has the resources it needs to defend itself.
U.S. Embassy officials in Jerusalem reaffirmed that "Israel takes effective action to prevent gross violations of human rights and to hold security forces responsible that violate those rights."
Coming Soon: New AIPAC Interview Series
As Israel fights to win its war against Hamas, the Jewish state faces mounting security threats on multiple fronts from Iranian-backed terror groups. This week, we are launching a new interview series highlighting each of the fronts Israel is forced to defend against. Watch the trailer below, and subscribe to AIPAC’s YouTube channel to get updates when each episode is posted.
"Stay strong. Survive."
Rachel Goldberg-Polin has a video on her phone that was filmed by Hamas terrorists during the massacre on October 7.
The video shows her 23-year-old son Hersh looking dazed and pulling himself up onto the bed of a truck at gunpoint. His khaki shorts are covered with blood and his left arm is blown off at the elbow, with the bone protruding. He tries to shield his face with his other arm as people shout chaotically in Arabic.
In a new story published by The Wall Street Journal today, Rachel describes what her harrowing journey has been like as she counts the days since Hersh has been kidnapped in Gaza – now 137.
"How does Rachel get through watching this, again and again? She repeats her mantra: 'I love you. Stay strong. Survive.'"
Read the story here (paywall) and view a selection of key quotes here.
The mission of AIPAC is to encourage and persuade the U.S. government to enact specific policies that create a strong, enduring and mutually beneficial relationship with our ally Israel.
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