The ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee is reacting to an increase in the military conflict in the Middle East.
Senator Jack Reed says it is a dangerous move, which will delay return of the hostages.
The senator in a statement said,
“We are deeply concerned by the Israeli government’s decision to expand military operations and seize control of Gaza City, apparently as a prelude to fully occupying Gaza. This is a dangerous move opposed by numerous senior Israeli security officials. Gaza continues to experience an extreme humanitarian crisis, and this decision only makes matters worse. We are nearly two years into this conflict, and it is clear military escalation will not deliver an end to the violence, will delay the return and may even lead to deaths of Israeli and American hostages held by Hamas, and will severely damage any prospect of a future political settlement between Israelis and Palestinians.
“We reaffirm support for U.S.-led diplomacy to reach a two-state solution with Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in lasting peace, security, dignity and mutual recognition. Israel’s military has decimated Hamas’s military capabilities and ensured Hamas can never again carry out attacks like those committed on October 7th. Now, the parties must immediately return to the negotiating table and secure a ceasefire that brings the hostages home and charts a diplomatic resolution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict.”
The Senator is calling for a continuation of US diplomacy which he says would lead to a two-state solution.
And he is calling for an immediate return of both sides to the negotiating table.
(Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo: JACK GUEZ / AFP / Getty Images