Today, the Biden administration abstained from a U.N. Security Council resolution that demanded an immediate ceasefire through the end of Ramadan and called for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages. However, the resolution failed to condemn Hamas and did not predicate the pause in fighting on Hamas releasing the captives.
AIPAC released the following statement: We are disappointed that the Administration failed to veto a resolution adopted today by the U.N. Security Council that fails to acknowledge that Hamas is to blame for ongoing hostilities and could stop the fighting by surrendering and releasing all the hostages.
Moreover, any pause or temporary ceasefire must be directly contingent upon the release of the hostages. Peace is only possible when Hamas is either defeated or surrenders and releases all the hostages.
In response to the U.S. abstention, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled scheduled meetings between Israeli and American officials in Washington to discuss Israel’s war effort in Gaza and its forthcoming operation in Rafah.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s meetings in Washington continued unabated. Following his meeting at the White House, the defense minister affirmed that "It was a good meeting."
Israel in compliance international humanitarian law – U.S. officials
American officials have confirmed that Israel is using U.S. weapons in compliance with international law.
"We’ve had ongoing assessments of Israel’s compliance with international humanitarian law. We have not found them to be in violation, either when it comes to the conduct of the war or the provision of humanitarian assistance," State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said today.
The confirmation comes following written assurances by the Israeli Defense Ministry that it is abiding by humanitarian laws and not blocking aid into Gaza.
The written assurances are necessary under a new national security memorandum issued by President Biden in February that requires countries receiving U.S. military aid to provide guarantees that they are in compliance with international humanitarian law.
"Hamas is destroying the Shifa Hospital"
Hamas and Islamic Jihad continue to operate inside Gaza’s largest hospital, deliberately using Gaza’s vulnerable civilians as human shields for its terrorism.
"Right now, Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists are barricading themselves inside Shifa hospital wards,” said IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari. "Hamas is firing from inside the Shifa emergency room and maternity ward and throwing explosive devices from the Shifa burn ward. Terrorists hiding around the hospital fired mortars at our forces, causing extensive damage to the hospital buildings."
Today the IDF seized a massive cache of weapons inside the hospital’s MRI department, along with Kalashnikovs, grenades, explosives, mortars and ammunition inside the maternity ward.
Former U.S. Ambassador: "The future of the Middle East" depends on Israel destroying Hamas
"I think the whole future of the Middle East will be decided in Gaza in the next three months," said Ambassador James F. Jeffrey, the former U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Turkey and Albania.
Jeffrey makes the case that any future peace in the region depends on Israel’s complete destruction of Hamas. "If Israel pulls out of Gaza with Hamas left in charge of the ruins of that place, there will be no two-state process – let alone a two-state solution."
The comments underscore Israel’s need to continue its operation to destroy Hamas’ military and governing capabilities – including in the terror group’s last stronghold of Rafah where an estimated 8,000 terrorists are organized and embedded among civilians. Watch the video below.
Israel seizes weapons shipment bound for West Bank
Iran is smuggling advanced weapons to terrorists in the West Bank.
Today, the IDF and Shin Bet announced the seizure of explosives and ammunition destined for Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
As Iran continues to arm and fund terror groups on Israel’s borders, America must ensure Israel has the resources to protect its families. Below is footage of the Iranian weapons shipment thwarted by Israel.
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