Israeli forces continued their operations in the Gaza Strip today, destroying tunnels and uncovering more weapons storage facilities. As the IDF increases the pressure on Hamas, the terrorist group is still obstructing a U.S.-backed ceasefire deal from being implemented.
Speaking today before boarding Air Force One, President Biden made clear that "the Israelis are cooperating" and have presented a rational offer that "is in the hands of Hamas right now."
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Blinken said, "It is on Hamas to make decisions about whether it is prepared to engage in that ceasefire."
Israel has accepted the U.S.-brokered deal that would entail a 6-week pause in fighting for the release of hostages and a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza. However, Hamas has yet to agree.
If the fighting in Gaza continues into Ramadan (starting March 10), it is because Hamas refused to agree to this deal.
ACTION NEEDED: Take two minutes to send a pre-written email to your elected leaders and make sure they know the Israelis accepted the U.S.-brokered deal and Hamas has failed to respond.
Rocket Attacks from Hezbollah; Dramatic footage of Iron Dome
Tonight, Hezbollah fired another massive barrage of rockets at the Jewish state. In remarkable videos captured from miles away, you can see Iron Dome intercepting scores of rockets over the city of Kiryat Shmona.
Each Iron Dome interception is a byproduct of our work together to ensure congressional support for this life-saving system. Building bipartisan support for the U.S.-Israel relationship saves lives.
Gantz meets U.S. officials in D.C.
Over the past two days, Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz met with Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and top Democrats and Republicans in Congress.
In the meetings, Gantz reiterated the importance of defeating Hamas, Israel’s ongoing efforts to alleviate the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and the importance of expanding Israeli-Arab normalization in the region.
Gantz told Sullivan, "Ending the war without clearing out Rafah is like sending a firefighter to extinguish 80% of the fire."
Israel works to reduce tensions ahead of Ramadan; Hamas chooses escalation
While Hamas rejects the U.S.-backed deal that would pause the fighting throughout the month-long holiday of Ramadan, Israel is working to de-escalate tensions and avoid conflict.
Today, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office released a statement reaffirming Israel’s commitment to freedom of worship for all faiths and to upholding Muslim prayer on the Temple Mount during Ramadan.
As in years past, Hamas is working to escalate tensions on the Temple Mount during the holiday. Last week, Hamas urged Palestinians throughout Israel and the West Bank to converge on the Temple Mount.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant assessed that "Hamas’ main goal is to take Ramadan, with an emphasis on the Temple Mount and Jerusalem, and turn it into the second phase of their plan that began on October 7. This is the main goal of Hamas, it is being amplified by Iran and Hezbollah."
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