U.S. Reps Endorse Netanyahu’s Gaza Takeover Plan Amid Ongoing Conflict
Democratic and Republican representatives in the U.S. Congress have publicly endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan for Israel to take over Gaza. This endorsement came after the two lawmakers conducted a joint visit to Israel and appeared on Fox News Sunday with host Shannon Bream. The plan, approved earlier in the week by Israel’s security cabinet, outlines the IDF’s strategy to retake control of Gaza City and deploy humanitarian aid to civilians outside combat zones while setting up a new governing structure.
Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., argued that the plan would provide a safer environment for hostages held by Hamas, stating that Hamas is currently starving the captives. ‘I think they have a greater risk of dying under the current conditions than they would if the IDF takes the action that they’re talking about,’ Crawford said. Meanwhile, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., asserted that the takeover is the ‘right answer’ as long as it remains temporary, emphasizing the need to crush Hamas, provide humanitarian aid, and establish a new governing structure in Gaza. Gottheimer also expressed hope for negotiations leading to a ‘multinational Arab force’ that would facilitate long-term peace in the region.
Netanyahu’s announcement on social media highlighted the approval of the Security Cabinet, outlining five key principles aimed at concluding the war with Hamas: disarming Hamas, returning all hostages – both living and deceased, demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, maintaining Israeli security control, and establishing an alternative civil administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority. The move marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict, with the potential for a full military occupation of Gaza, reminiscent of Israel’s previous withdrawal from the area in 2005, which led to Hamas taking control.