Mariana Labbate is a breaking news reporter at The Messenger, covering politics. She previously worked at Grid as part of the global team and at The New York Times as an editing intern. She graduated from Columbia University with a master's degree in journalism.

Breaking News Reporter

Mariana Labbate

Former US ambassador to Israel Tom Nides, who left the post in July, urged the Senate on Sunday to quickly confirm Jacob Lew as the new Israeli ambassador.

Former US ambassador to Israel Tom Nides, who left the post in July, urged the Senate on Sunday to quickly confirm Jacob Lew as the new Israeli ambassador.

"Jack Lew should be confirmed tomorrow," Nides told CNN's Dana Bash amid the conflict between Hamas and Israel that erupted this weekend. "Jack Lew will be a spectacular diplomat."

"Jack Lew should be confirmed tomorrow," Nides told CNN's Dana Bash amid the conflict between Hamas and Israel that erupted this weekend. "Jack Lew will be a spectacular diplomat."

After Nides stepped down this year, President Joe Biden <a href="https://themessenger.com/politics/biden-nominates-former-treasury-secretary-as-ambassador-to-israel" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nominated Lew</a>, a former Treasury Secretary. The announcement happened in early September, but Lew has yet to be confirmed by the Senate.

After Nides stepped down this year, President Joe Biden <a href="https://themessenger.com/politics/biden-nominates-former-treasury-secretary-as-ambassador-to-israel" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nominated Lew</a>, a former Treasury Secretary. The announcement happened in early September, but Lew has yet to be confirmed by the Senate.

Nides also urged that the U.S. needs "people on the ground" in Israel amid the conflict.

Nides also urged that the U.S. needs "people on the ground" in Israel amid the conflict.

"It's heartbreaking, I've been on the phone for the last 24 hours," Nides said.

"It's heartbreaking, I've been on the phone for the last 24 hours," Nides said.

<a href="https://themessenger.com/news/hamas-forces-death-toll-jewish-state-israel-terrorist-surprise-attack?utm_source=onsite&amp;utm_medium=homepage_breaking_news_banner" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Over 1,300</a> people have been killed and many others injured since Saturday, when Hamas attacked Israel with air strikes.

<a href="https://themessenger.com/news/hamas-forces-death-toll-jewish-state-israel-terrorist-surprise-attack?utm_source=onsite&amp;utm_medium=homepage_breaking_news_banner" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Over 1,300</a> people have been killed and many others injured since Saturday, when Hamas attacked Israel with air strikes.

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