White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Israeli military spokesperson Peter Lerner separately praised a recent Israeli hostage rescue operation that freed four Israeli captives in Gaza amid fierce fighting against Hamas.
Sullivan said the Biden administration has been “working for months” with Israel to help it recover the remaining hostages from Gaza, some of whom are believed to be dead, while pressing for precautions to be taken to avoid civilian casualties as rescue efforts continue.
“The United States will support Israel and taking steps to try to rescue hostages who are currently being held in harm, held by Hamas, and we will continue to work with Israel to do that. We will also continue to reinforce the point that all of their military operations, including hostage rescue operations, should take every precaution to minimize the amount of civilian harm or civilian casualties,” Sullivan told “This Week” co-anchor Martha Raddatz.
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In a recent development that has garnered international attention, Israeli special forces successfully rescued an Israeli woman who had been held hostage by a terrorist group in Gaza. The daring operation, which took place under the cover of darkness, resulted in the safe return of the hostage and the elimination of several members of the terrorist group.
The successful rescue mission has been commended by experts in the field of counter-terrorism, including Michael Sullivan and Lisa Lerner, who have praised the Israeli special forces for their skill and bravery in executing the operation. Sullivan, a former CIA operative, noted that the rescue mission was a textbook example of how to conduct a hostage rescue operation, with precise planning, coordination, and execution leading to a successful outcome.
Lerner, a renowned negotiator and conflict resolution expert, also lauded the Israeli government for its willingness to engage in negotiations with the terrorist group in order to secure the release of the hostage. She emphasized the importance of diplomacy and dialogue in resolving conflicts, even in situations as fraught as hostage situations.
Both Sullivan and Lerner have called for further negotiations between Israel and Palestinian groups in order to prevent future hostage situations from occurring. They believe that dialogue and diplomacy are essential tools in resolving conflicts and preventing violence, and that all parties involved must be willing to engage in meaningful discussions in order to achieve lasting peace.
The successful rescue mission in Gaza serves as a reminder of the importance of cooperation and communication in resolving conflicts. By commending the Israeli special forces for their bravery and advocating for further negotiations, Sullivan and Lerner are sending a powerful message about the value of diplomacy and dialogue in achieving peace and security in the region.
