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A pair of Democratic and Republican representatives appeared to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan for Israel to take over Gaza on Sunday.
Reps Rick Crawford, R-Ark., and Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., appeared on “Fox News Sunday” with host Shannon Bream after conducting a joint visit to Israel. Netanyahu’s office has faced some criticism after the nation’s security cabinet voted on Friday to allow the IDF to fully take over Gaza.
Crawford argued that such a plan would be safer for the remaining hostages in Hamas custody.
“I think they have a greater risk of dying under the current conditions than they would if the IDF takes the action that they’re talking about,” Crawford said of the hostages. “Basically, Hamas is starving them. People talk about the starvation in Gaza. The starvation is taking place at the hands of Hamas, and it’s primarily directed at the hostages that they are holding.”
NETANYAHU VOWS TO TAKE FULL CONTROL OF GAZA STRIP, ‘LIBERATE’ PEOPLE FROM HAMAS
House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Rick Crawford visited Israel last week. (Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Gottheimer said a takeover by Israel is the “right answer,” so long as the IDF involvement is truly temporary. He argued that Hamas must be crushed fully, but another governing structure must be put in place.
“The prime minister made it very clear … that there is no intent for long-term occupation or annexation, which I think is the right answer,” he said. “You need to make sure you crush Hamas, you get humanitarian aid in, and then you get a new governing structure in.”
ISRAEL SECURITY CABINET APPROVES PLAN TO OCCUPY GAZA CITY
Gottheimer added that he expects negotiations to lead to a “multinational Arab force” that keeps the peace in Gaza long-term.
Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., says he supports Israel’s plan to take over Gaza temporarily. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Netanyahu and his security cabinet met…
