Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) recently voiced a strong stance against extending the ceasefire with Hamas during an impromptu exchange with Medea Benjamin, a known activist and co-founder of the anti-war group Code Pink. The confrontation, which was captured on video and shared on social media, saw Rubio emphatically rejecting the idea of advocating for a ceasefire.
In the footage, Benjamin is seen questioning Rubio about his position on the ongoing conflict and the civilian casualties involved. The Florida Senator firmly placed the blame on Hamas, criticizing their tactics and accusing them of using civilians as shields. He expressed his support for Israel’s actions against Hamas, describing the group in harsh terms and insisting that Hamas bears full responsibility for the civilian deaths and the current situation.
Rubio’s comments came amidst a tense backdrop of continuing hostilities between Israel and Hamas. The conflict had escalated following a severe attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, leading to significant casualties and the capture of hostages. Despite a temporary ceasefire agreed upon last week, there have been multiple instances of violations by Hamas, including attacks on Israeli troops and a deadly terror incident at a Jerusalem bus stop.
The conflict has been marked by a high number of casualties and the taking of hostages by Hamas. Israeli forces have reported the release of some hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, but they believe Hamas still holds approximately 145 people in the Gaza Strip, including women and children.
This ongoing conflict has sparked diverse reactions internationally, with Rubio’s recent comments reflecting a strong pro-Israel stance in the face of continued hostilities and provocations by Hamas.