Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene expressed unwavering support for Israel amidst a surprise attack by Iran-backed Hamas terrorists in Israeli towns during Sukkot. Highlighting the concern that funds from President Joe Biden’s $6 billion allocation to Iran may have financed the attackers, she emphasized the necessity of ensuring Israel’s safety amidst the escalating conflict.
In a statement, Greene stated, “We stand with our great friend and ally Israel as they declare war against Islamic terrorists.” She condemned the assault, saying, “Over 1,000 Iran-backed Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, slaughtering Israeli citizens, right at the end of Sukkot, the feast of tabernacles.” She further warned, “Make no mistake, this is Islam’s ‘holy’ war and their ultimate goal is to wipe out all of Israel.” Greene also criticized President Trump’s predecessor, saying, “President Trump would have NEVER given that money to Iran.”
According to AP News, Hamas militants launched a surprising and unprecedented attack on October 7th during a major Jewish holiday, firing thousands of rockets and sending fighters into Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip. These attacks resulted in casualties and sparked intense conflict. In response, Israel declared war against Hamas, conducting airstrikes and vowing to exact a significant toll for the aggression. This escalation has caused substantial loss of life and injuries in both Israel and the Gaza Strip.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation in a televised statement, declaring, “Citizens of Israel, we are at war. Not an operation, not a round [of fighting], at war! This morning Hamas initiated a murderous surprise attack against the state of Israel and its citizens.”
Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas’ military wing, attributed the assault to various factors, including the prolonged Gaza blockade, Israeli military activities in West Bank cities, tensions at Al Aqsa (a contested holy site in Jerusalem), an uptick in settler-related violence against Palestinians, and the ongoing growth of settlements. He explicitly stated that the morning attack marked the beginning of what he referred to as “Operation Al-Aqsa Storm.”
In response to the approximately 2,500 rockets launched by Hamas, triggering continuous air raid alarms reaching as far as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, the Israeli military conducted targeted strikes in Gaza.
Israeli hospitals are currently treating at least an estimated 561 wounded individuals, including 77 in critical condition, according to the Associated Press.
It is worth noting that on September 11th, PBS reported that the Biden administration granted clearance for the release of five American citizens held in Iran by issuing a waiver allowing the transfer of $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds from South Korea to Qatar, exempting international banks from U.S. sanctions. This has raised concerns that some of these funds may have been used to finance the recent Hamas attacks.
With tensions escalating and casualties mounting, the international community is closely monitoring the situation and calling for a de-escalation of violence. The conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to unfold, with the repercussions likely to be felt for some time.
