Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo traveled on a solidarity mission to Israel, arriving on Monday, just as Israeli special forces executed a daring rescue operation in Rafah, Gaza Strip. The mission successfully liberated two Israeli hostages and eliminated their Hamas captors.
Pompeo swiftly commended the rescue operation, underlining the necessity of sustained pressure on Hamas for the safe release of hostages and achieving lasting peace in the region. His visit to Israel, marked by meetings with senior officials and military commanders, underscores his unwavering support for the country.
“Outstanding news that Israel rescued two hostages from Hamas terrorists,” Pompeo wrote on X. “It’s a reminder that the best way to free the hostages and win this war is to keep the pressure on Hamas.”
In the midst of these developments, President Joe Biden publicly urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to exercise restraint in Rafah, expressing concerns over potential civilian casualties resulting from IDF operations against Hamas in Gaza.
Netanyahu, however, emphasized the imperative of neutralizing the four Hamas terrorist brigades operating in Rafah for IDF victory. Despite Biden’s cautionary stance, Netanyahu authorized the operation, which he later hailed as a historic achievement.
The genesis of Pompeo’s visit stemmed from a longstanding friendship, with Knesset Member Danny Danon facilitating the arrangements. Danon warmly welcomed Pompeo at Ben-Gurion International Airport, underscoring the visit’s significance in demonstrating solidarity with Israel and advancing mutual strategic objectives.
Throughout his tenure as Secretary of State, Pompeo played a pivotal role in advancing U.S.-Israel relations, including recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and facilitating the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations. Pompeo also encouraged Trump’s recognition of the Golan Heights as Israeli land and to reject Judea and Samaria as occupied territory, noting its historic ownership by Israel.