The Senate approved a resolution Thursday supporting Israel as it executes Operation Protective Edge against Hamas terrorists in Gaza. Senate Resolution 498 was authored by Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Charles Schumer (D-NY), and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH).

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez issued the following statement upon the resolution’s passage:

“The United States firmly and resolutely stands with Israel as it defends its citizens from an onslaught of unprovoked rocket fire launched by Hamas terrorists. While Israel had agreed to a cessation of hostilities and halted its military campaign to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian supplies to Gaza, Hamas continued to terrorize Israel with a nonstop onslaught of rockets. Hamas uses civilians as protective shields and houses rockets in hospitals, schools, and mosques. It is appalling, but not surprising, that a terrorist organization is resorting to these inhumane tactics and destructive actions which only causes the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and results in the heartbreaking and unnecessary loss of innocent lives. Israelis and their Palestinian neighbors deserve to live in security and Hamas continues to disrupt that peace. As this conflict continues, the United States unequivocally supports Israel.” [TLS]