WASHINGTON, DC—Representative Eliot L. Engel, the leading Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement regarding Israeli military operations:

“Today, Israel is taking steps to defend itself from the thousands of rockets that have terrorized its citizens since Israel withdrew from Gaza,and in response to the tunnel discovered by Israel that posed a direct threat to the Israeli people.  In recent days, a ceasefire was within reach.  Israel agreed to the proposal, while Hamas walked away.  Hamas is responsible for this conflict.”

XXX