Ron DeSantis calls on Israel to ‘destroy’ Hamas, no more ‘half-measures’

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis called on Israel to “destroy Hamas and its terrorist infrastructure” after war broke out over the weekend amid a Hamas attack on Israeli civilians.

“Israel must destroy Hamas and its terrorist infrastructure,” he said. “Half-measures will just guarantee more attacks in the future.”

DeSantis referenced a video from nearly 10 years ago, when he was a congressman representing Florida, where he demanded a “complete defeat of Hamas.”

“Hamas is a terrorist organization. It’s an arm of the Muslim Brotherhood. It’s reason for existence is to destroy Israel, and Hamas desires a second Holocaust,” the then-congressman said.

Shortly after the attacks over the weekend, the governor said Hamas deserves a “swift and lethal response.”

“Israel not only has the right to defend itself against these attacks, it has a duty to respond with overwhelming force,” he said. “I stand with Israel. America must stand with Israel.”

Referencing a report from the Wall Street Journal that found Iran “helped plot” the attack on Israel, DeSantis called on President Joe Biden’s administration to “take responsibility” and admit that “Iran directly supported Hamas’ heinous attack on Israel.”

The report that links Iran to the recent attacks from Hamas comes after the Biden administration unfroze billions in Iranian assets.

DeSantis voiced strong criticism at the time against Biden’s handling of Iran, and warned the funds will help support terrorism.

“The $6 billion ransom payment will help Iran build nuclear weapons, support terrorism, oppress the Iranian people, and assist Russia,” DeSantis said. “Biden’s appeasement and weakness emboldens Iran to attack us and our allies, and facilitates Iran becoming closer than ever to nuclear weapons.”

Deaths on both sides continue to increase as violence continues. A “complete siege” of Gaza has been ordered by Israel’s defense minister.