U.S. Representative Michael McCaul said Tuesday that the United States' immediate goal is to help Israel replenish its Iron Dome air defense system, which was penetrated by more than 4,000 rockets fired by Hamas last weekend.
McCaul, a Republican who chairs the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, spoke with VOA's Persian Service at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday.
McCaul said he spoke with the White House National Security Council and "they [Israel] have $100 million currently to help replenish the Iron Dome. Obviously, these rockets were able to penetrate it — the 4,500 rockets from Hamas. I think our immediate goal is to replenish their Iron Dome system, but I think Congress needs to act as well."
The following interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
VOA News: What are your thoughts on the events in Israel?
U.S. Representative Michael McCaul: I mean, it's shocking, the invasion. They've [Hamas] killed almost 1,000 Israelis. I've seen, you know, video images of little toddlers in cages like animals and the indiscriminate killing. And it's been in the works for probably over a year. Iran is behind this. Iran funds it. Iran gives the weapons. My message to Iran is stay out of this, and to Hezbollah, way out of this. The United States is going to protect and defend Israel. We've already sent a battleship to the region. ... You have diplomacy discussions, fine. But killing innocent civilians is not the way to go about those.
VOA: This is a very complicated, very vast operation. It comes to mind that Iran may not have been able to be behind it only. And besides, there are countries like Turkey and Qatar that have been supporting Hamas. Do you think the U.S. government should approach Turkey and Qatar and talk to them because they have expressed support for Hamas? [Editor note: this question was edited after publication to correct that McCaul was asked whether Iran alone backs Hamas, or there are additional countries supporting it].
McCaul: Well, I think any country that supports or expresses support for Hamas needs to be questioned in terms of what aid and assistance. I haven't had direct intelligence on that. We are concerned that possibly Russia, all the allies of Iran could be involved in this, right. And so we also have to look at Russia and China, and we have to look at countries in the Middle East. I think you know the issue ... is not going to end in days, maybe not weeks, maybe it will take months, for these IDF [Israel Defense Forces] to go into Gaza to clear out the homes, to save the hostages, and we have American citizens over there as well.
VOA: Considering the USS Gerald Ford is in the region, and it's a posture change for the United States military. Has the administration requested any extra authority, hypothetically, for any events that may happen?
McCaul: They have not. That would come through my committee, Authorization for Use of Military Force. But we are providing assistance to replenish the Iron Dome, that we're providing precision-guided missiles. That's what Israel needs and the 155 ammunition is what they need as well. Now Congress needs to get back to work. … The president [Joe Biden] has what we call drawdown authority to take our current stockpiles and send them to ... Israel, which is what we're doing, but Congress needs to act.
VOA: You yourself have expressed necessity for help with Israel's Iron Dome, and Senator [Ben] Cardin [of Maryland] also has mentioned such a solution.
McCaul: I talked to the White House NSC [National Security Council]. They have $100 million currently to help replenish the Iron Dome. Obviously, these rockets were able to penetrate it – the 4,500 rockets from Hamas.
I think our immediate goal is to replenish their Iron Dome system, but I think Congress needs to act as well. And then again, they need these precision-guided missiles, which will save civilians, and the ammunition. So right now, the White House tells me they have the funding, but I think Congress, we got to get our act together, elect the speaker and start helping out through our process.
