Progressive Democrat Senator Bernie Sanders has rejected the call for an Israel-Hamas ceasefire because the Palestinian terror group ‘is dedicated to turmoil and chaos and destroying the state of Israel.’ 

Sanders, who is Jewish, said that even Arab countries in the region know that Hamas has to be destroyed – and a ceasefire will not help the cause. 

Israel has been bombarding Gaza for over three weeks, after Hamas launched an attack and slaughtered over 1,300 Israelis in their homes and at a music festival.

Hamas kidnapped and took hostage hundreds of people, including children. Israel says a ceasefire will not be possible until the hostages are freed. 

Sanders told CNN’s Dana Bash on ‘State of the Union’ Sunday: ‘I don’t know how you can have a ceasefire, a permanent ceasefire, with an organization like Hamas, which is dedicated to turmoil and chaos and destroying the state of Israel.

Progressive Democrat Senator Bernie Sanders has rejected the call for an Israel-Hamas ceasefire because the Palestinian terror group ‘is dedicated to turmoil and chaos and destroying the state of Israel’

Thousands of people hold an emergency sit-in, demanding a ceasefire in Gaza at New York’s Grand Central Station on October 27, 2023

‘What the Arab countries in the region understand is that Hamas has got to go.’ 

‘The immediate task right now is to end the bombing, to end the horrific humanitarian disaster, to build – go forward with the entire world for a two-tier, two-state solution to the crisis to give the Palestinian people hope.

‘But if anyone thinks that Trump is going to be better than Biden on this issue or any other issue, for that matter, I think they are sorely mistaken.’ 

Sanders is not the only one with this view. Secretary of State Antony Blinken remains opposed to a ceasefire – saying that it would in fact allow Hamas time to launch another attack on Israelis. 

Two weeks ago, President Biden tamped down calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, telling Hamas to release the hostages its militants took captive from Israel – ‘then we’ll talk.’

He made the remark at the White House moments after reports that Hamas had released two hostages held inside Gaza after the October 7 terror attack.

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He was asked about having hostages released for a ceasefire at the tail end of an event on his economic agenda.

Fire and smoke rises from buildings following Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City, Sunday, November 5,

‘We should have those hostages released, then we’ll talk,’ Biden responded.

Today, Iran issued a chilling threat to the United States, telling them it will ‘be hit hard’ if no ceasefire is implemented in Gaza, amid new fears that Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza could escalate.

Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani, Iran’s Minister of Defence, emphasized the urgency, stating: ‘Our advice to the Americans is to immediately halt the war in Gaza and implement a ceasefire, otherwise they will be hit hard.’

But Mr Blinken rejected a ceasefire, insisting it would only give Iranian-backed Hamas a chance to regroup following its horrific attack on Israel on October 7, killing 1,400 civilians and taking more than 240 hostage.

Instead Mr Blinken pressed for ‘pauses’ in the fighting to allow civilians to evacuate from the battleground of Gaza City and the northern part of the enclave, which is being pounded with heavy Israeli artillery barrages as the war passes its 30th day.

The uncompromising tone was echoed by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who pledged at an air force base: ‘There will be no ceasefire without the return of our hostages, we say this to both our enemies and our friends. We will continue until we beat them.’

Another senior Iranian government figure ramped up the tension with the west still further.

Mohammad Reza Naqdi deputy leader of the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said: ‘If Israel’s crimes continue, we should strike America’s interests,’ without specifying how.

Iran considers the US, Israel’s foremost ally, to be ‘militarily-involved’ in the conflict.

The US has continuously defended Israel’s right to defend itself and has offered military support, in addition to moving its war ships and 2,000 marines into the region.

Iranian regime officials have consistently warned Israel of potential escalation should the attacks on Gaza not cease, with the death toll in the strip rising to over 9,700, Hamas-led officials say.