US National Security Adviser Says Israel Has Right to Defend Itself After Resuming Gaza Offensive
Washington (Quds News Network)- US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said Israel has “every right to defend itself” following the deadly resumption of its assault on Gaza, claiming that Hamas “chose war.”
“Israel has every right to defend its people from Hamas terrorists,” Waltz wrote on X on Friday.
“The ceasefire would have been extended if Hamas released all remaining hostages. Instead, they chose war,” the top Trump aide added.
Israel has every right to defend its people from Hamas terrorists.
The ceasefire would have been extended if Hamas released all remaining hostages. Instead, they chose war.
— Mike Waltz (@MikeWaltz47) March 21, 2025
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also stated on Thursday that US President Donald Trump “fully supports” Israel’s resumption of genocide in Gaza.
“He fully supports Israel and the IDF and the actions that they’ve taken in recent days,” Leavitt told reporters when asked if Trump was trying to get a Gaza ceasefire back on track.
“The president made it very clear to Hamas that if they did not release all of the hostages there would be all hell to pay, and unfortunately, Hamas chose to play games in the media with lives.”
Leavitt claimed the situation was “completely the fault of Hamas” for their October 7, 2023 operation on Israel, adding that Trump wants “all of those hostages” be released.
Since Tuesday morning, Israeli airstrikes have killed over 600 Palestinians and injured hundreds more. The Israeli attacks marked the collapse of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal that had begun on January 19, 2025. The first phase ended on March 1, 2025, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to proceed with the second phase.
Netanyahu, wanted by the International Criminal Court, sought to free more Israeli prisoners without fulfilling Israel’s commitments, including ending the war and withdrawing from Gaza. Hamas insisted on implementing the full agreement.
Since October 7, 2023, Israeli assaults, backed by the United States, have killed and wounded over 161,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children. More than 14,000 people remain missing under the rubble.
