Israel’s Ambassador to the United States Michael Herzog responded sharply to a speech delivered today by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer who opened the door on conditioning aid to Israel if the Jewish state doesn’t replace its government.
"Israel is a sovereign democracy," said Herzog. "It is unhelpful, all the more so as Israel is at war against the genocidal terror organization Hamas, to comment on the domestic political scene of a democratic ally. It is counterproductive to our common goals."
AIPAC posted, "Israel is an independent democracy that decides for itself when elections are held and chooses its own leaders. America must continue to stand with our ally Israel and ensure it has the time and resources it needs to win this war. Hamas bears sole responsibility for this conflict. The hope for a brighter future for the Middle East begins with Israel’s decisive defeat of Hamas."
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Israel prepares for military operations in Rafah
Today, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assured soldiers that the military will operate in the Gaza Strip city of Rafah, the last major Hamas stronghold in Gaza.
During a visit with fighters in the Nitzan 636 Field Intelligence Battalion near Jerusalem, Netanyahu said: "While you and the IDF are preparing to continue fighting, there is international pressure to keep us from entering Rafah and finishing the job. As prime minister of Israel, I am deflecting these pressures, and I will continue to do so."
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said on Wednesday that he wants to see Hamas "decisively defeated" in response to a question about a potential Israeli invasion of Rafah.
IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Wednesday that Israel plans to direct a significant portion of the 1.4 million displaced Gazans in Rafah toward "humanitarian islands" in the center of the territory. In coordination with international actors, these "islands" will provide temporary housing, food, water, and other necessities to civilians fleeing war.
White House: Weapons shipments to Israel continue
White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby reaffirmed today the president’s commitment to ensuring Israel has the resources it needs to defend itself.
"We continue to provide Israel with the tools, the capabilities, the weapons systems, that they need...We're continuing to provide them that critical support," Kirby said.
Israelis begin to return home in southern communities
More than half of the evacuees from Israel’s south have now returned to their homes.
According to an Israeli official, 32,000 out of the 60,000 people who were evacuated by the government from towns within a 4.3-mile radius of Gaza are back in their communities.
On Monday, the Sderot train station, which was damaged on October 7, will reopen, according to Israel Railway.
Major Gazan clan says all Hamas members legitimate targets after assassination
Hamas executed the leader and ten other members of the Doghmosh Family — a major clan in Gaza — for allegedly expressing readiness to be part of a new administration in the Gaza Strip and being in contact with Israel.
In response, the Doghmosh Family issued a statement declaring that all Hamas members are legitimate targets. The statement pledges retribution against all responsible and warns Hamas fighters not to test the clan’s patience.
Hamas doesn't care about a better future for Palestinians. It only cares about staying in power and destroying Israel. For peace and a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike, Hamas must be destroyed.
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