In a recent interview, Montana GOP Representative Ryan Zinke expressed his commitment to supporting Israel and discussed the potential involvement of U.S. special operations forces in a hostage rescue mission led by Hamas. As a former U.S. Navy SEAL, Zinke provided insight into the considerable effort that would be required for such an operation, especially considering that some of the hostages are American citizens.
Zinke highlighted the longstanding relationship between SEAL Team Six and select units of the Israel Defense Forces, emphasizing the sharing of tactics, techniques, and procedures that have been crucial in meeting the requirements of similar missions in the past. However, Zinke also raised concerns about the risks involved, particularly the potential for collateral damage resulting from an attack on Hamas militants.
Amid ongoing Hamas attacks on Israel, Zinke reiterated his unwavering support for the country, describing the conflict as a regional coordinated effort involving Hamas, Iran, China, and Hezbollah. He emphasized the need for international recognition of the severity of the situation and called for collective action to combat terrorist aggression.
The comments from Zinke come in the wake of the U.S. offering additional advice and counsel to Israel through the National Security Council. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also confirmed that the U.S. has personnel on the ground providing intelligence and planning assistance for hostage rescue operations. President Biden assured Jewish leaders that his administration is actively working on resolving the hostage crisis, although he did not disclose specific details.
During the interview, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stood alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and expressed American solidarity with Israel. He revealed that the number of Americans who have lost their lives since Hamas’ recent attack has risen to at least 25.
The situation in Israel remains tense, and the international community continues to monitor developments closely. The potential involvement of U.S. special operations forces in a hostage rescue mission underscores the gravity of the crisis and the importance of international cooperation in combating terrorism.
