President Biden announced on Tuesday that Israel had reached a cease-fire deal with Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon that would end nearly 14 months of fighting, and while some US lawmakers on both sides of the aisle While hailing efforts to stem the tide of conflict, others suggested it was anything but. A political football.
Speaking from the White House’s Rose Garden, Biden said Israel and Lebanon agreed on the deal, adding that Israel has the right to defend itself if Hezbollah breaks the deal.
“Let’s be clear. Israel did not start this war. The Lebanese people did not want this war. And neither did the United States,” Biden said. “Security for the people of Israel and Lebanon cannot be achieved on the battlefield alone. directed to end a close.”
Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder was asked about a possible cease-fire deal during a press briefing Tuesday and said the Department of Defense (DoD) is “very supportive” of a cease-fire. He also said DoD plays a critical role in working with partners to prevent broader conflicts in the Middle East region.
Biden announced a cease-fire plan to end the 14-month war between Israel and Hezbollah
Demonstrators in Israel are calling for a ceasefire and a political solution with Hezbollah near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s home in Jerusalem. (Faiz Abu Ramilah/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., who serves as chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, called the agreement “a welcome development for the region.”
“To terminate this contract War between Israel And Hezbollah in Lebanon, which has killed thousands, is a welcome development for the region and will increase pressure on Hamas to reach a cease-fire agreement to end the fighting and destruction in the Gaza Strip. should, which has already claimed many innocent lives,” Warner said. “I appreciate the diplomatic efforts by the Biden administration and other international partners over many months to help get to this point. I am.”
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va. described Tuesday’s cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah as a “welcome development for the region.” (Reuters)
Was also weighing in on the deal. Sen. Lindsey GrahamRS.C., who said he was happy to hear that an agreement had been reached between Israel and Hezbollah.
“Best wishes to all involved in reaching this agreement,” he said. “I appreciate the hard work of the Biden administration, supported by President Trump, to make this ceasefire a reality. This ceasefire will save Israel from another war on October 7 and give the people of Lebanon a break from fighting.”
“It is my hope that we will soon achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and allow a peaceful solution to replace the endless conflict,” he added.
Israel ‘moving forward’ on potential Hezbollah ceasefire, official
Sen. Lindsey Graham, RSC, said she was pleased to hear that a ceasefire agreement had been reached between Israel and Hezbollah on Tuesday. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
Sen. Ted CruzOn the other hand, R-Texas was not quick to applaud the Biden administration’s efforts to reach a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah.
He said that Israel’s allies achieved major military successes against Hezbollah last year, which resulted in the death of thousands of Hezbollah terrorists and the elimination of the entire command of the Iranian-backed terrorist group.
“These operations have directly contributed to vital US national security interests, including directly eliminating terrorist leaders,” Cruz said. Karna, who had the blood of hundreds of Americans on his hands.” “Indeed, the US-Israel relationship is central to US interests in the Middle East, and US policy is to ensure the security of its Israeli allies. Unequivocal military and diplomatic support must be provided to ensure absolute certainty.”
He then turned to the Biden administration’s strategy and timing in conjunction with President-elect Trump’s return to the White House.
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Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, accused Obama-Biden officials of withholding weapons from Israel to pressure them into a cease-fire agreement. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
“The Biden administration has spent the last four years obsessed with weakening Israel and promoting Iran, including forcing our Israeli allies to cede maritime territory to Hezbollah,” Cruz noted. “They are now using the transition period in a Trump administration and a Republican Congress to try to block those efforts — and to block the incoming administration — by establishing what they believe is an irreversible diplomatic, legal and military policies. However, these and similar international policies are not irreversible.”
Cruz and 10 other senators signed a letter that says the United States will end its relationship with the United Nations and the Palestinians if Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas follows through on his pledge to expel Israel from the United Nations General Assembly. Will re-evaluate.
Cruz also said he joined his colleagues in vowing to take action against the International Criminal Court for harming American and Israeli interests by issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yves Gallant. Hoye and said that everyone involved in this decision should face US sanctions. .
The International Criminal Court last week issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (Photos via Mark Kerrison/Getty Images)
He then accused Obama-Biden officials of pressuring Israeli allies to accept a cease-fire by withholding weapons needed for self-defense against Hezbollah, while enforcing an international arms embargo by the United Nations. He also threatened to provide the facility.
Cruz claimed that “Obama-Biden officials are already trying to get Israel to accept this cease-fire to ensure that Hezbollah and other Iranian terrorist groups remain in Lebanon, and could limit Israel’s future freedom of action and self-defense.” “Administration officials, including Secretary of State Blankenship, today even downplayed Israel’s right under the cease-fire to attack terrorist groups in Lebanon when those groups pose a threat.
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“These restrictions have been rejected by our Israeli allies. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that under the cease-fire, Israel retains full freedom of action to counter Hezbollah if the group attacks Israel or tries to rebuild its terrorist infrastructure,” he added. “The United States must allow and support Israel to do this, and I am committed to working with my colleagues in the Trump administration and the incoming Congress to ensure that they are able to do so.”
Fox News Digital’s Louis Casciano contributed to this report.