State Department on Gaza attacks: 'We stand with Israel'

(JNS)—As the latest attacks against Israel from Hamas have taken place in Gaza, the U.S. State Department condemned the terrorist group and reaffirmed that Israel has the right to defend itself.

“We are aware of reports of ongoing rocket and mortar attacks from Gaza against targets in Israel,” a State Department official told JNS on Monday. “We condemn these attacks and call for their immediate halt. We stand with Israel as it defends itself against these attacks.”

According to the Israeli Defense Forces, at least 300 rockets have been fired from the Gaza Strip at southern Israel on Monday amid renewed tensions following the death of an Israeli special-forces soldier earlier in the day, with the Iron Dome missile-defense system intercepting dozens of them, while others have struck Israeli homes and buildings near the border, or have landed in open areas.

In response, the IDF said it has hit 20-plus Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad targets in Gaza, including terror compounds, observation posts and rocket-launching squads.

The IDF also destroyed Hamas’ main TV channel, Al-Aqsa TV.

“Terrorists in Gaza are again attacking Israel with tools of war,” tweeted Jason Greenblatt, the Trump administration’s Special Representative for International Negotiations. “These rocket & mortar attacks on Israeli towns must be condemned by all. Israel is forced once again into military action to defend its citizens. We stand with Israel as it defends itself against these attacks.”

He continued, saying “Hamas’ activities continue to prove they don’t really care about the Palestinians of Gaza & their only interest is to use them for political purposes. Even Palestinian lives seem not to matter to Hamas.”

“The world has grown tired of Hamas’ violence and the violence of other bad actors in Gaza,” he added. “This violence prevents any real help for the people of Gaza.”

Terrorists in Gaza are again attacking Israel with tools of war. These rocket & mortar attacks on Israeli towns must be condemned by all. Israel is forced once again into military action to defend its citizens. We stand with Israel as it defends itself against these attacks.

— Jason D. Greenblatt (@jdgreenblatt45) November 12, 2018.