With 200 hostages still being held captive — possibly some Americans — Bay State congressmen are saying now is not the time for a ceasefire in Israel.
The U.S. State Department says the number of Americans killed since the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas has risen to 30 — with 13 more still missing.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed Monday that at least 199 hostages are known to be held in Gaza, a number much greater than previously believed, according to The Times of Israel.
Hamas has also released another video of a hostage on their Telegram channel, this time showing a young woman receiving medical attention after what appears to be a serious arm injury.
All this, says U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Salem), should end all talk over a ceasefire with Hamas.
““Did we call for a cease fire and de-escalation after Pearl Harbor? Instead of pushing Israel into a ceasefire with an organization that has proven it is hellbent on Israel’s destruction by barbarically slaughtering Israeli children, the U.S. should be focused on helping ensure Israel’s operation is a success,” Moulton told the Herald Monday evening.
Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada and the European Union.
Moulton, a veteran of the War on Terror, said Israel still needs to learn from the past.
“Israel can’t win this fight by killing innocent Palestinians; doing so is morally wrong and militarily stupid because it will just help Hamas’ recruiting,” he said. “Israel must have a long-term political plan to empower the peacemakers in Gaza, rather than Hamas.”
U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Newton), also a military vet, said in a statement Monday, “Israel should cease fire when the hostages are returned and when the terrorists who murdered children are dead.”
Both are pushing back at fellow delegation member U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, who is backing fellow Squad members in Congress by calling for an immediate ceasefire.
Meanwhile, The Jerusalem Post is reporting the delay in the ground invasion of Gaza could be due to a growing concern that Hezbollah is waiting for the moment that most IDF ground forces are committed to Gaza to open a full front in the north.
The Associated Press reports that truckloads of aid is idled at Egypt’s border with Gaza, barred from entry. This has resulted is reports of shortages of water, food and fuel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also invited President Biden to visit Israel.
Netanyahu has also warned Iran and Hezbollah, “Don’t test us in the north. Don’t make the mistake of the past. Today, the price you will pay will be far heavier,” referring to Israel’s 2006 war with Hezbollah, which operates out of Lebanon.
Herald wire services contributed.
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