US Effort to Extend Israel Truce in Gaza is ‘Objectively Pro-Hamas’: John Bolton

Former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton criticized American efforts extend the Gaza cease-fire between Israel and Hamas as "objectively pro-Hamas," saying that it "denies" Israel's right to self-defense.

Bolton, who held the position under former President Donald Trump in parts of 2018 and 2019, reiterated his previous critique of the deal and the U.S. role in the war during a Friday appearance on NewsNation.

"I think with the initial pause now behind us, I think Israel's best judgment here is simply to proceed militarily to achieve the objective it says it wants, which is the elimination of Hamas," said Bolton.

"I think the second-guessing by the Biden administration, the efforts to prolong the pause, to turn it into a full cease-fire are objectively pro-Hamas," he continued. "It denies Israel the self-defense right it has to eliminate the terrorist threat."

Over 100 hostages held in Gaza were released over a fragile, seven-day cease-fire that ran from late November until its breakdown on Friday. Approximately 137 hostages are believed to remain in Gaza.

As it vowed, Israel has resumed its military strikes on Hamas in retaliation for the October 7 terror attacks, which saw over 1,200 people killed and unarmed civilians brutalized.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reportedly clashed with senior Israeli officials on the truce's final day, saying that Israel had weeks, not months, to finish its war on Hamas.