“CLOSEST ALLY”
Wednesday’s handle made Israel’s longest-serving premier the primary international chief to handle a joint assembly of Congress 4 instances – pulling forward of Britain’s Winston Churchill.
However he has misplaced backing amongst dozens of liberal lawmakers, and a few 68 Democrats – together with a few of the most senior figures in Congress – stated they’d not attend.
Netanyahu says solely navy strain can free the hostages and defeat Hamas, which launched a shock assault on Oct 7 that resulted within the deaths of 1,197 individuals, principally civilians, in accordance with an AFP tally based mostly on Israeli figures.
Netanyahu stated he was “assured” in efforts to safe the discharge of the 114 Hamas hostages nonetheless in Gaza, the place Israel’s retaliatory navy marketing campaign has killed at the least 39,145 individuals, additionally principally civilians, in accordance with figures from the Hamas-run territory’s well being ministry.
The US has voiced considerations over bombing in closely populated elements of Gaza however has defended Israeli pursuits whereas taking a key position in mediation efforts.
A senior Biden administration official stated Wednesday that negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire and a hostage launch deal have been of their “closing levels,” talking on the situation of anonymity.
In Congress, Netanyahu referred to as on Washington to fast-track navy help to his nation to “dramatically expedite an finish to the struggle in Gaza and assist stop a broader struggle within the Center East.”
However his name for help sparked a backlash from Democrats offended that there was little of substance in his speech about securing peace.
Influential former Home speaker Nancy Pelosi referred to as it “by far the worst presentation of any international dignitary” invited to talk earlier than Congress.