By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Eastern Kansas Congressman Derek Schmidt is hopeful a U.S. brokered peace deal to end the Israeli-Hamas war will hold.
Schmidt, a Republican, says it’s important that the United States work to implement the agreement and ensure it is enforced. Schmidt says the reaction of Israel to Hamas’ atrocities is understandable and justified.
“What Hamas did to Israel two years ago on October 7th is beyond unconscionable. It was called Israel’s 9/11 at the time and, in fact, it was,” Schmidt tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “They slaughtered innocents. They took innocent people hostage.”
Hamas-led militants killed more than 1,200 people during the attacks on a music festival and other civilian activities that caught Israel off guard. The militants took around 250 people hostage. Hostages who lived through the ordeal have been released to Israel under a peace agreement forged by President Trump and his administration working with Israel and Hamas. Israel has released some Palestinian prisoners it had been holding.
Schmidt asserts the country could not sit idly by after the attacks.
“There were 46 American citizens who were killed by Hamas on October 7th two years ago,” Schmidt says. “Forty-six Americans were slaughtered. And, in addition to that, other Americans were captured, taken to Gaza city and held hostage in the tunnels, some of whom have subsequently died.”
Israel responded by launching an all-out attack against Hamas.
Schmidt says he has been challenged by constituents who insist America has no business getting involved, but Schmidt defends the action.
“This is not just an issue for Israel and the Middle East and Hamas. This is an American issue, because our people were killed and taken hostage,” Schmidt says. “And I’m very proud of our president f0r the engagement he’s given to try to bring this to an end.”
Trump outlined a 20-point peace plan that has ended hostilities, at least for now. It has been put to the test. Israel launched a series of attacks Sunday, claiming Hamas fired on its troops, killing two Israeli soldiers. Israeli airstrikes have reportedly killed nearly 30 in Gaza. Israel also halted aid shipments to Gaza. Aid reportedly has resumed being distributed in Gaza.
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