Rep. McCaul Introduces Pro-Israel Resolution Condemning Hamas’ Terrorism

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, speaks during a roundtable discussion with the families of the U.S. service members killed in the terrorist attack at the Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA)’s Abbey Gate in Washington on Aug. 29, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) introduced a resolution on Oct. 10 expressing solidarity with Israel and condemning the terrorist group Hamas.

The four-page resolution stated Hamas terrorists crossed the border on Oct. 7 from Gaza into Israel, where they abducted Israelis—including children and the elderly—and launched thousands of rockets into Israeli territory.

Hamas has taken at least 150 Israelis hostage, including a wheelchair-bound elderly female Holocaust survivor.

In response to the attacks, Israel has officially declared war and has retaliated with strikes on Gaza, which Hamas controls.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Oct. 9 that his country would impose a “complete siege” on the Gaza Strip.

Mr. Gallant said that authorities would cut off electricity and block the entry of food and fuel to Gaza.

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Israeli Infrastructure Minister Israel Katz said he had ordered the severing of water supplies from Israel to Gaza.

“What was in the past, will no longer be in the future,” he said, as some 2 million Palestinians living in Gaza brace for a possible Israeli ground invasion.

The resolution stated, among numerous things, that the House “stands with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists;” “reaffirms Israel’s right to self-defense;” “condemns Hamas’ brutal war against Israel;” and “calls on Hamas to immediately cease these violent attacks and safely release all living hostages and return the bodies of deceased hostages.”

It also “condemns Iran’s support for terrorist groups and proxies, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.”

The Biden administration has said there is no concrete proof Iran is behind the attacks despite the Wall Street Journal reporting otherwise on Oct. 8.

The resolution comes as the Israeli embassy in Washington confirms at least 1,000 Israelis have been killed in the Hamas attacks. At least 600 Palestinians have died in Israeli air attacks on Hamas buildings in Gaza.

Despite its 392 sponsors, the resolution will have to wait as the House does not have a Speaker.

In order for the House to pass any legislation or a resolution, it must elect a Speaker or Speaker Pro Tempore.

Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) has been serving as Speaker Pro Tempore since Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was stripped of the gavel last week.

Mr. McHenry was appointed from a list created by Mr. McCarthy earlier this year of those who could succeed him as Speaker Pro Tempore were there to be a vacancy in the position that is second in line to the presidency.