WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will lead fellow senators on a weekend trip to Israel to show support for the country’s government following the massacre of more than 1,300 people by Hamas terrorists last week.
A delegation of New York Democrats followed a visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin as the Israel Defense Forces warned Gazans to evacuate the northern part of the territory controlled by Hamas.
“Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the highest elected Jewish official in the history of the United States, will lead the two parties [congressional delegation] to Israel this weekend to demonstrate the unwavering support of the United States for Israel,” Schumer spokesman Angelo Roefaro said.
“There, Leader Schumer will meet with the new unity government including Prime Ministers Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz, as well as President Isaac Herzog. Sen. Schumer will discuss the resources the United States can provide to support Israel in all areas.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck SchumerAP
It is unclear how many senators will join the tour.
American leaders have shown support for Israel as an unknown number of US citizens are believed to be held hostage by Hamas inside Gaza. The terrorist group struck southern Israel on October 7 in a surprise attack, killing local residents and concertgoers and kidnapping about 150 people.
The White House said Thursday that 27 US citizens were killed in the attack and 14 remain missing, some of whom are believed to be hostages.
Israeli soldiers take cover while on alert for a rocket attack in the southern Israeli city of Sderot near the border with Gaza on Oct. 12. 2023. CHINE NOUVELLE/SIPA/Shutterstock
Hamas has called for an international “day of rage” on Friday – sparking fears of a lone wolf terror attack by sympathizers – and threatened this week to start killing hostages on camera.
Meanwhile, thousands of Americans are trying to flee the conflict zone as Hamas continues to fire rockets into Israel and as the Jewish state’s army is expected to attack Gaza.
The New York Times on Friday reported new details about Iran’s alleged role in training Hamas members for the invasion. Two Iranian sources told the Times that Iran-backed Hezbollah trains Hamas members in Lebanon and Syria.
Senator Chuck Schumer marches up Fifth Avenue in the Salute to Israel Parade for Israel’s 60th birthday in 2008.NY Post/Robert Kalfus
Palestinian terrorists learned how to use paragliders in Lebanon and were trained in Syria on how to storm Israeli homes and take hostages, sources said.
An Iranian source said Hamas isolated members who took part in the attack four days earlier and confiscated their electronics to ensure secrecy.
The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps gave the green light to the operation less than a week before the attack during a meeting in Beirut, citing Hamas and Hezbollah sources.
A rocket is fired from Gaza towards Israel, in Gaza, October 13, 2023. REUTERS
Biden administration officials have said publicly they have yet to determine Iran’s alleged role but have described Tehran as “complicit” in the slaughter.
Bipartisan members of Congress called on the Biden administration to refreeze $6 billion in Iranian funds from oil sales after Biden in August approved their release for food and medical purchases in exchange for the release of five US citizens.
A Treasury Department official told House Democrats on Thursday that the Biden administration had reached a quiet understanding with Qatar, which holds $6 billion, that the money would not be distributed, though the White House declined to confirm it.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
