Israel-Gaza War: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address lawmakers in the US Congress on July 24. A congressional source told news agency AFP that he has accepted an invitation from Republican and Democratic party leaders. The Israeli PM’s visit comes amid escalating pressure for the US partner and Hamas militants to reach an agreement on a permanent ceasefire as Israel faces growing diplomatic isolation over the increasing death count in Gaza.
Last week, US President Joe Biden presented what he called an Israeli three-phase plan that would put an end to the conflict, free all hostages, and lead to the reconstruction of the devastated Palestinian territory without Hamas in power. Netanyahu's office, however, emphasised that the war sparked following the October 7 attacks would continue until Israel's "goals are achieved," including the destruction of Hamas, news agency AFP reported.
Last week, the four party leaders in the US House and Senate asked the Israeli PM to speak before a joint meeting of Congress in a letter voicing solidarity with Israel "in your struggle against terror, especially as Hamas continues to hold American and Israeli citizens captive." The visit comes after Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called in March for Israel to hold new elections.
The rebuke from Schumer came amid expressions of dismay from progressive Democrats who have condemned Netanyahu over his handling of the military response and vowed to snub the right-wing leader's speech.
The war was sparked when Hamas attacked Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,194 people, AFP reported, citing Israeli official figures. At least 251 people were taken hostage, 120 of whom remain in Gaza, including 41 the army claims are dead.
According to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry, Israel's retaliatory military offensive has claimed lives of 36,654 people in Gaza, as reported by AFP.
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