Pompeo says Harris’ comments on Israel-Hamas war are ‘fueling’ conflict

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has criticized Vice President Harris for her recent comments about the Israel-Hamas war, claiming that the presumptive Democratic nominee’s rhetoric is “fueling” the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

“The kinds of things that Vice President Harris is saying are fueling continued war and continued risk,” said Pompeo, who served in former President Trump’s administration. said Saturday in an interview with Fox News.

“Whenever I hear President Biden or Vice President Harris talk about a ceasefire, what they are really saying is that they are going to allow the horrors of October 7th to happen again,” he added.

While Harris and Biden have advocated a ceasefire in the Middle East region, the administration has maintained that a secure Israel is a key priority in the negotiations.

“I will always ensure that Israel is able to defend itself, including from Iran and Iranian-backed militias such as Hamas and Hezbollah,” Harris said in comments following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week.

Following the closed-door conversation, the vice president also made a bold and direct statement about the impact the conflict has had on Palestinian civilians, a slight departure from the administration’s previous statements.

“What has happened in Gaza over the last nine months is devastating,” Harris said. “The images of dead children and desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety, sometimes displaced for the second, third or fourth time. We cannot look away from these tragedies. We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to suffering and I will not remain silent.”

Pompeo, a staunch supporter of Israel, claimed that the Iranian regime fully controls Hamas behind the scenes. He emphasized the need for strength and an uncompromising attitude in dealing with Iran, citing the Trump administration’s decision to assassinate Iranian official Qasem Soleimani.

“The Iranians have taken note and deterrence has been restored,” Pompeo said. “It is only this strength that they will understand.”

“They’re just never going to understand, ‘Hey, we can all get along,’” he added.

Over the past week, tensions in the Middle East have risen following the assassination of Ismail Haniyah, a senior Hamas official, in Iran. Haniyah was in Tehran to attend the inauguration of Iran’s newest president.

Although Israel did not claim responsibility for the attack in Tehran, Netanyahu made defiant comments after the death was announced, saying Israel was “achieving its war aims.” Iran has blamed Israel and promised revenge, raising fears that the conflict could escalate into a full-blown war in the region.

Artillery exchanges between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group have also increased, with the Biden administration urging citizens in Lebanon to “shelter in place” on Wednesday. The warnings come after an Israeli airstrike in Beirut killed one of the group’s top leaders late last month.

Biden and Harris held a private call with Netanyahu on Thursday, where they expressed concerns about the escalation and emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire.

“I had a very direct meeting with the prime minister … very direct,” Biden told reporters Thursday night. They should move on and they should move on now.”

This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story