The ongoing military operation in Gaza by the Israeli military has sparked international concern due to the high number of Palestinian casualties, exceeding 34,000 lives lost. Senator Lindsey Graham defended Israel’s actions, attributing the majority of civilian casualties to Hamas and emphasizing the need for Israel to continue fighting until achieving a definitive victory, regardless of the consequences.
Drawing parallels to the United States’ decision to drop nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II, Graham urged Israel to take whatever measures necessary to ensure its survival as a Jewish state. While he did not advocate for the use of nuclear weapons in Gaza, he likened Israel’s conflict with Hamas to a catastrophic event on an amplified scale.
The suspension of certain bomb supplies by the White House, intended for Israel’s military offensive in Rafah, has caused tension among supporters of Israel in the United States. Graham called for providing Israel with the necessary resources to bring an end to the conflict and emphasized the importance of minimizing civilian casualties in the process.
The US State Department report, although acknowledging the concerns regarding potential violations of international humanitarian law by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) while using American weapons, did not specifically identify any violations. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Israel has not presented a credible plan to ensure the safety of civilians.
President Joe Biden, while pledging not to support a major military operation in Rafah with US weapons, indicated that Israel’s limited invasion has not yet crossed Washington’s red line. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite the absence of US weapons, affirmed his commitment to continue the military campaign in Rafah.
