Israel touts strong US alliance after aid package signing

(NewsNation) — Israeli leaders on Thursday touted the country’s strong alliance with the U.S. after President Joe Biden signed a bill sending roughly $26 billion in aid to the country for its ongoing war in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked the US House for passing the Israel aid bill. “The US Congress just overwhelmingly passed a much-appreciated aid bill that demonstrates strong bipartisan support for Israel and defends Western civilization. Thank you friends, thank you America!”

The adulation from Israel comes as the country prepares for an anticipated offensive on Rafah, where more than half of the territory’s people of 2.3 million have sought refuge. The Israeli military has massed dozens of tanks and armored vehicles in the area in what appears to be preparations for an invasion despite calls for restrain by the U.S.

The Israel-Hamas war was sparked by the unprecedented Oct. 7 raid into southern Israel in which militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250 hostages. Israel says the militants are still holding around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others.

Israel’s ensuing bombardment and ground offensive have killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, according to local health authorities, and displaced some 80% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million.

Ophir Falk, a foreign policy adviser to Netanyahu, said Thursday that Israel will not be deterred.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government set a mission to destroy Hamas’ military and governing capabilities in Gaza, free the hostages and ensure that Gaza does not pose a threat to Israel and the rest of the civilized world in the future,” he said. “Those goals will be achieved.”