Senator Collins Questions Secretary of State Blinken on Administration's Position on an Israel Ceasefire

Hearing

"Israel has every right to defend its citizens from Hamas, including seeking out the terrorists in Gaza and destroying them, while also trying to minimize civilian casualties.

There is a critical distinction here: Hamas targeted civilians, they kidnapped innocent children, as well as people as old as 85 years old. Israel is not doing that.

As Israel has begun to respond in Gaza to Hamas' indiscriminate and barbaric targeting of innocent Israeli citizens, some -- and we've heard it today -- have called for a ceasefire. A ceasefire would be a strategic victory for Hamas. It would simply allow Hamas to bide its time and prepare for future attacks, and pay no price for the greatest loss of Jewish lives in a single day since the Holocaust.

Could you clarify the Administration's position on a ceasefire?"

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