- The Washington Times - Sunday, April 7, 2024

House Speaker Mike Johnson on Sunday lambasted the Democrats’ escalating opposition to providing military aid to Israel in the wake of the Israel Defense Force’s lethal attack on humanitarian aid workers.

Sunday marked six months since the Palestinian militant group Hamas conducted a terrorist raid in southern Israel, killed more than 1,200 people and took more than 250 others hostage.

“Since the massacre, it’s been appalling to watch anti-Israel rhetoric and support for an unconditional cease-fire grow among Democrats in Washington, even as Hamas holds 130 Israelis and Americans hostage in Gaza,” Mr. Johnson, Louisiana Republican, said in a statement.

Israel announced Sunday a troop drawdown from southern Gaza as part of its counteroffensive against Hamas, leaving one brigade of IDF forces in the southern region of the Palestinian enclave.

The move came after President Biden last week called for a cease-fire and threatened future U.S. military aid unless Israel takes greater caution to avoid civilian casualties.

“It’s time to stop lecturing Israel on how it should best defend itself and begin equipping our friend with the resources necessary to eliminate the threat of Hamas, once and for all,” Mr. Johnson said.

• Ramsey Touchberry can be reached at rtouchberry@washingtontimes.com.

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