Arkansas Congressman French Hill, who serves on the House Foreign Affairs and Intelligence Committees, sheds light on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Rafah. The international community is urging Israel to halt its offensive, while rockets continue to be launched into Israel, posing a dilemma for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Congressman Hill emphasizes that the root cause of the conflict dates back to Hamas' invasion of Israel on October 7, with Iranian backing, aiming to eradicate Israel. He asserts Israel's right to self-defense and highlights collaborative efforts by Israel, the United States, Qatar, and Egypt to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza and relocate civilians to safer areas.
In response to criticisms of Israel's operations in densely populated civilian areas, Congressman Hill acknowledges the challenges of urban warfare, exacerbated by Hamas using civilian infrastructure as shields. Despite efforts to target Hamas leadership and infrastructure, the group persists in launching attacks, underscoring the complexity of the situation.
Regarding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's upcoming address to the House of Representatives, Congressman Hill supports the invitation, emphasizing the importance of consulting with Israel amid the ongoing crisis. He dismisses comparisons between Putin's actions in Ukraine and Israel's defense against Hamas, citing the unprovoked nature of Hamas' aggression.
As the conflict unfolds, Congressman Hill advocates for continued U.S. support for Israel's self-defense, aligning with the majority of Americans who back Israel. He rejects claims of genocide in Gaza, emphasizing the distinction between Hamas' attacks on Israel and international law violations.
