‘We’re Talking About Months’: Mike Pompeo Argues Israel Won’t Be Able to Defeat Hamas Quickly
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo joined Fox News’s Martha MacCallum on Friday to discuss the escalation in the Israel-Hamas war that many observers believe is possibly the beginning of a full IDF ground assault into Gaza.
“We have just been seeing this uptick in fire that is coming from Israel into Gaza. And we know it’s part of the operation to soften up targets there before likely ground invasion. What’s your assessment when you listen to our reporters on the ground talk about what’s going on, what’s changed here tonight?” MacCallum asked Pompeo.
“So, Martha, I think this is carefully thought out, very strategic. The Israelis have made clear since October 7th that they would respond precisely as you’re seeing them respond this evening,” Pompeo replied, adding:
I don’t know if this will be part of the main assault or just a raid for the evening. The Israelis will make that decision. What I hope is I hope the United States will continue to do the things it needs to do. And it frankly, it hasn’t done them so far. It needs to give Israel all the time and space that it needs. We’re not talking about hours this evening or days this week. We are talking about months to defeat Hamas in detail. That’s the requirement. That’s the necessary requirement to keep the Israelis and frankly, as we’ve seen Americans safe as well.
“It is now time for the United States to do its part. I heard the administration say that these attacks have been mostly unsuccessful,” Pompeo added, referring to the myriad of Iran-linked attacks on U.S. troops and bases in the Middle East.
“And sort of reminds me, Martha, of mostly peaceful protests. These attacks were deeply successful. They are all driven by Iran. And that’s the thing the administration did at the outset that has caused us to find ourselves where we are today,” Pompeo continued, adding:
They refused to acknowledge, they denied there was any Iranian direct involvement. This is all orchestrated trade funded by one place, the Islamic Republic of Iran. And what Israel is doing tonight will only continue to drive Iran to take even more aggressive actions unless the United States does its fundamental role of deterring them.
The interview continued with MacCallum asking Pompeo to weigh in on the ongoing negotiations to free the hundreds of hostages being held in Gaza and how best to combat Iran in the region.
Watch the full clip above via Fox News.
