Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) warned the Biden administration that seeking a ceasefire in Gaza will not resolve the conflict in the Middle East, as it will only be a matter of time before the Hamas terrorist group attacks again.
Waltz explained that the administration is focused on “the wrong place” with its current focus on reaching a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel and that it should instead be focusing on Iran. He added that as long as Iran is “flush with cash,” neither the country nor Hamas will have any interest in achieving peace.
“So the administration, Biden and Harris, have sold themselves is that once we get to a cease-fire and the hostages are released, which we all want, that everything will be fine,” Waltz said on Fox News’s America Reports. “No. Iran will continue to stoke unrest because they want to destroy Israel, and look, making concession after concession to Iran is actually what is destabilizing the situation.”
Waltz was also critical of the Biden administration’s reported plan to withdraw troops from Iraq, arguing it is the latest attempt at appeasement by the administration. He compared it to how former President Barack Obama withdrew troops from Iraq in 2011, which led to an uptick in actions by ISIS.
The Florida Congressman also compared President Joe Biden’s leadership to Israel’s leadership, claiming the latter is taking initiative in dealing with Hezbollah and Hamas whereas the Biden administration has been reactive to the ongoing conflict.
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The Israeli military stated Monday it had killed over 180 people in Lebanon, and that it is expanding the airstrikes to include areas of the Bekaa Valley, where Hezbollah has a long established presence. Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari has called for valley residents to immediately evacuate areas where Hezbollah is storing weapons.
On Sunday, Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND) argued the United States needs to put “maximum pressure” on Iran to address the war in Gaza. He contended that former President Donald Trump was able to “financially reduce Iran’s ability” to fund terrorists during his time in office, and called for those who want Hamas’s hostages to be released to vote for the former president.