Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a scathing address to Congress on Wednesday, defending his country’s actions during the devastating Gaza war. Despite widespread criticism and the loss of tens of thousands of Palestinian lives, Netanyahu urged the U.S. to support the fight against Hamas and ridiculed protesters outside the Capitol.
During his speech, Netanyahu made several claims that require closer examination. Firstly, he stated that Israel had enabled the entry of more than 40,000 aid trucks into Gaza, providing half a million tons of food. However, the United Nations and aid groups have reported difficulties in distributing these supplies due to ongoing Israeli military operations, fighting with Hamas, and lawlessness in the region. U.N. officials have also warned of severe hunger and the potential for famine in Gaza.
Netanyahu also accused Hamas of stealing aid meant for Palestinians, but no evidence has been presented to support this claim. In fact, a top U.S. envoy stated that Israel’s killing of Gaza police commanders guarding aid convoys has hindered the distribution of goods. Furthermore, deadly Israeli strikes on homes have resulted in the deaths of multiple family members, and footage has shown soldiers shooting and killing Palestinians who posed no threat. Israeli evacuation orders have forced over 80% of Gaza’s population to flee, often multiple times, to escape offensives.
Regarding Iran’s alleged funding of protesters, Netanyahu provided no evidence to support this claim. However, the top U.S. intelligence official has stated that the Iranian government, along with other countries, covertly encourages protests over Israel’s war against Hamas. Iran seeks to stoke outrage ahead of the fall election by using social media platforms and providing financial support to some protest groups.
Netanyahu failed to address the intelligence and security blunders that allowed Hamas to breach Israel’s defenses, leading to the conflict. He also omitted the fact that the majority of hostages were freed during a brief cease-fire, and that Israeli forces mistakenly killed three hostages. Approximately 120 hostages remain in captivity, with Israeli authorities believing that a third of them are dead. The rescue missions to free hostages have resulted in the deaths of dozens of Palestinians.
The catastrophic situation in Gaza since the outbreak of the war cannot be ignored. Over 39,000 Palestinians, including many women and children, have been killed, and 1.8 million people have been displaced. Basic necessities such as food, shelter, and clean drinking water are scarce. Netanyahu’s claim to speak on behalf of the people of Israel is met with declining public support, with many calling for a cease-fire and his resignation.