During his hearing on Tuesday, President-elect Donald Trump's defense secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth, expressed unwavering support for Israel in its ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
When questioned by Senator Tom Cotton about a protester's interruption labeling him a 'Christian Zionist,' Hegseth reiterated his strong backing for Israel's defense, stating, 'I robustly support the state of Israel and its existential defense.'
Furthermore, Hegseth emphasized his support for Israel's actions against Hamas, declaring, 'I support Israel destroying and killing every last member of Hamas.'
Background on the Conflict
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been escalating for over a year, stemming from a Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023. The prolonged hostilities have resulted in a significant number of civilian casualties, with criticisms directed at Israel for the deaths caused by disruptions to essential services such as healthcare, food, water, sanitation, and disease outbreaks.
Despite the challenges, recent reports suggest that Israel and Hamas are nearing a potential ceasefire agreement, marking a significant development in the efforts to de-escalate the conflict in Gaza.
