Representative Brian Mast (R-FL) appeared on Fox News to discuss the recent developments in the Israel-Hamas conflict that has raged on since the terrorist group attacked nearly approximately 1,000 Jewish citizens on Oct. 7. Since then, Hamas has kept hostages – including some Americans – as part of a bargaining tool.
The Florida congressman answered questions about reports concerning the loss of civilian life in Palestinian-controlled areas due to Israeli attacks. Rep. Mast answered that Israel is still being attacked by aerial weaponry and that Hamas uses civilians as human shields.
Don’t forget there are still Americans being held hostage in Gaza by Hamas.
Israel should finish the job of eliminating Hamas and make the world a better place. pic.twitter.com/yTSJonLAfI
— Rep. Brian Mast (@RepBrianMast) May 29, 2024
“I think you look at two things. One, the fact that there are still rocket attacks threatening Tel Aviv, Israel, it shows you that the job is not done,” said Rep. Mast. “The mission is not complete yet. They (Hamas) still have a mechanism to receive arms, whether through tunnels going into Egypt or other places. There is still a supply chain that is feeding Hamas, there are still Hamas fighters that are out there engaging in attacking Israel and they still want to see no Israel exist. The other side of this that unfortunately we do not see outrage for is that there will continue to be civilian casualties.”
Rep. Mast continued, “If the world does not become up in arms about the fact that Hamas purposefully embeds themselves with civilians, purposefully places civilians in front of themselves, aid workers in front of themselves, purposely tries to use UNRWA as their locations to build tunnels for Hamas that go into Egypt and other places. As long as that's allowed to continue, then we will see what unfortunately the world doesn't want to see, which is a civilian killed here or a civilian killed there because of what Hamas does.”
Furthermore, the retired Army Staff Sergeant and former Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) volunteer spoke on whether Israel is feeling the international pressure as civilian casualties amount while also reminding Americans that some of their countrymen remain in captivity at the hands of Hamas.
“There's no question that Israel sees the international pressure,” said Mast. “But what's most stark to me is the fact that America is allowing itself, President Biden is allowing America to be pulled into this and continually forgetting the fact that we have Americans currently being held by these terrorists. We have Americans that were killed on October 7 by these terrorists, and there has never been an expectation that there will be Americans sent to come get those Americans that are being held. That's what's going on with this administration. No, no guarantee that America is there for Americans. That's not what this country is about.”
Congressman Mast represents Florida’s 21st District.
