Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., called on Israel to fully defeat Hamas and rebuild Gaza after the conflict, drawing comparisons to how the United States handled Germany and Japan after World War II, as reported by Newsmax.

Speaking Sunday on CBS News’ Meet the Press, Graham emphasized that Israel should “annihilate” the terrorist organization and then oversee reconstruction efforts before transitioning control to regional Arab partners.

Image Credit: © MCKENZIE LANGE/ Staff / USA TODAY NETWORK
Sen. Lindsey Graham holds a press conference in his downtown Greenville, S.C. office on Friday, March 15, 2024.

“I can’t believe we’re having a discussion about how to fight a war against people who want to destroy you as a people, the Israeli people,” Graham said when asked who should run Gaza if Israel takes full military control.

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“So [Israel] will take Gaza militarily, unless the hostages are released,” he continued.

“Enough already. Destroy Hamas. Do to Hamas what we did to the Germans and the Japanese during World War II. Annihilate them and rebuild the Palestinian society like we did with Germany and Japan. I think we can do that.”

Graham suggested that once Hamas is defeated, the long-term stability of Gaza and the Palestinian territories should involve Saudi Arabia.

“Eventually the Arabs will take over. The future of Palestine runs through Riyadh. The future of the Mideast runs through Riyadh. I envision after the defeat of Hamas that normalization will be back on the table between Saudi Arabia and Israel, and the Palestinians will benefit from that discussion, as well as the Israelis,” he said.

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Image Credit: © Jack Gruber-USA TODAY
Jan 22, 2025; Washington, D.C., USA; Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) during the hearing where Russell Vought appeared before the Senate Budget Committee for a confirmation hearing and vote. President Donald Trump nominated Vought to lead the Office of Management and Budget. Vought was previously director of the Office of Management and Budget from July 2020 to January 2021. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY

The South Carolina senator has consistently voiced support for Israel’s military campaign against Hamas. In July, he told NBC News that he believed Israel was shifting its approach toward achieving a total military victory.

“I think President Trump has come to believe, and I certainly have come to believe, there’s no way you’re going to negotiate an end of this war with Hamas,” Graham said in the July 28 interview.

“Hamas is a terrorist organization, chartered to destroy the State of Israel. They’re religious Nazis. They hold Israeli hostages.”

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Graham also stated that Israel had determined it could not secure a satisfactory end to the conflict through negotiations and would instead need to take Gaza by force.

“They’re going to do in Gaza what we did in Tokyo and Berlin—take the place by force, then start over again, presenting a better future for the Palestinians, hopefully having the Arabs take over the West Bank and Gaza,” he said.

Israel’s ongoing operations in Gaza have drawn varying international reactions, but Graham’s comments underscore his continued stance that only a decisive military victory will bring lasting peace and security for Israel.

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