Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) voiced his dissatisfaction with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s approach to the conflict between Hamas and Israel.
Graham criticized Austin’s demands for an Israeli ceasefire during his appearance on State of the Union Sunday. The senator said that although he liked the secretary personally, he has lost faith in Austin because he is “naive.” Austin claimed that Israel was forcing people into the arms of the enemy and that as a result, it would “replace a tactical victory with a strategic defeat.”
“He’s so naive. I mean, I just lost all confidence in this guy. How about focusing on protecting our soldiers, men, and women in Syria and Iraq? Strategic defeat would be enflaming the Palestinians. They’re already enflamed,” Graham stated. “But this war has shown to me he doesn’t understand. If we were attacked like this—which we were on 9/11—if somebody called for us within two months to have a ceasefire against al Qaeda, we would have laughed them out of town; we would have run them out of town.”
Graham stated that he was in support of Israel sticking to their plan until they “destroy Hamas.” Graham is not the only Republican who disagrees with demands for a ceasefire.
“Secretary Austin is telling Israel things that are impossible to achieve,” Graham stated. “Secretary Austin, the reason Palestinians are dying, Gaza is so condensed, Hamas has tunnels under apartments, under schools, under hospitals. If you’ve got a better idea of how to destroy Hamas, pass it on! Quit criticizing Israel in public.”
Almost two months have passed since Hamas bombarded Israel with thousands of missiles. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that 15,200 Palestinians have lost their lives.
Israel and Hamas came to an agreement that resulted in a ceasefire and permitted the two parties to trade captives. Nevertheless, before further captives could be freed, Hamas violated the agreement by attacking Israel.
Kamala Harris Maps U.S. Vision for Gaza Post-Conflict at COP28
In her speech, Vice President Kamala Harris outlined the US vision for the treatment of Gazans following the conclusion of the battle between Hamas and Israel.
During her visit to the United Nations COP28, an environmental meeting on Saturday, Harris outlined the general goals of the United States. At the event in Dubai, the vice president made a number of appearances in lieu of President Joe Biden, who was attending to matters pertaining to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Speaking on the nation’s policy choices for the area was part of that.
Harris informed Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi that “under no circumstances will the United States permit the forced relocation of Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank, the besiegement of Gaza, or the redrawing of the borders of Gaza,” according to the White House.
The White House further stated that Harris stressed the need for reconstruction efforts in the area to be undertaken “with major support from the international community and the countries of the region and in the context of a clear political horizon for the Palestinian people toward a state of their own led by a revitalized Palestinian Authority.”
A major funding source for poor countries looking to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, the Green Climate Fund, would get an additional $3 billion from the United States, Harris said at COP28.
In order to help poor countries reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and better prepare for the impending climate disaster, Harris announced that the US will contribute an additional $3 billion to the Green Climate Fund. Prior to this, the US gave the fund $2 billion.
The revelation follows criticism of the US earlier this week by certain climate scientists and advocacy organizations for allegedly paying a “embarrassing” sum of $17.5 million to a recently established damage fund intended to assist underdeveloped nations in dealing with climate-related calamities.
Harris declared on Saturday that “the United States has turned ambition into action,” highlighting new investments totaling billions of dollars made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act and the bipartisan infrastructure measure. Harris cited hundreds of newly constructed and expanded wind turbine, solar panel, and battery manufacturing facilities, as well as new initiatives to protect communities and habitats from the harsh weather and rising seas brought on by climate change.
Harris remarked, “Today we are showing the world, through action, how the world can and must meet this crisis.” “This is a crucial time.”
Following a week-long ceasefire, the Israel Defense Forces started their military assault inside Gaza. The army split the area in half, directing most of its combat efforts towards the north. It prompted locals to relocate southward. Since the terrorist organization has ingrained itself within civilian neighborhoods, it must likewise manage its contacts with civilians.
In order to minimize civilian losses, U.S. officials have pushed Israel to conduct future operations with greater accuracy. Although sources from Gaza claim that more than 10,000 Palestinians have died since Israel began its war operations, U.S. authorities have voiced caution about these claims. Hamas controls the Gazan authorities, who do not distinguish between militants and civilians. It’s thought that thousands of kids were among the dead.
