Amid the rising casualties in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, President Joe Biden confirmed that at least 14 Americans have been killed and over 20 remain unaccounted for. Furthermore, several U.S. citizens are currently stranded in Israel, urging immediate assistance.
Representatives Marc Molinaro (R-Greene County) and Pat Ryan (D-Ulster County) are actively working to aid these Americans. Molinaro’s team has already assisted around a dozen people in exiting the war-torn region.
Meanwhile, Ryan has proposed utilizing the U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet, suggesting the possibility of a non-combatant evacuation operation. Both congress members are advocating for financial aid to support Israel in the conflict. In response, President Biden has announced additional ammunition and missile interceptor support for Israel.
The conflict, now on its fourth day, has resulted in close to 2,000 casualties since Hamas initiated the attacks on Israel. Representative Nick Langworthy (R-Yates County) emphasized the need to support Israel while expressing concern over the tragedy.
Fellow Republican, Rep. Mike Kelly, pointed out the inadequacies in anticipating such attacks and emphasized the importance of being proactive. Amid the strife, lawmakers on both sides, including Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), underscore the critical need for unity in Congress and bolstering ties with Israel.
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