WASHINGTON – Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Tuesday that the United States has seen no evidence that Israel committed genocide during its military operations against Hamas in Gaza.
“We have no evidence of genocide,” Austin told the Senate Armed Services Committee during a hearing on President Joe Biden’s latest budget request.
Asked by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., if that meant Israel did not commit genocide in Gaza, Austin again said, “We have no evidence of that.”
Earlier in the hearing, Senator Roger Wicker asked the Defense Secretary whether the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel should be considered an act of genocide.
“What we witnessed on October 7 was a horrific terrorist attack by Hamas,” Austin said, adding, “It is certainly a war crime.”
Wicker also asked Austin if Hamas would stop its aggression against Israel if it laid down its weapons today.
“I seriously doubt it,” Austin said.
This is a developing story and will be updated.