U.S. Congressman Cory Mills (R-FL) has reportedly traveled to Israel amidst the ongoing war to assist in the rescue of American citizens stranded in the region. As reported by The Floridian, Mills, representing the state of Florida, took swift action in response to the crisis, flying overnight to Israel.
While the exact location of Mills remains undisclosed due to security concerns, he stated that showing solidarity with the Israeli people and assisting Americans in evacuating after the devastating Hamas attack was a duty he felt compelled to fulfill as an American.
Mills is a decorated U.S. Army combat Veteran and recipient of the Bronze Star.
🚨BREAKING! As first reported by @Floridianpress, U.S. Congressman @CoryMillsFL is on the ground in Israel assisting in the rescue of American citizens! It’s been reported that he was able to aid in the rescue of dozens of Americans so far, but there are still hundreds more… pic.twitter.com/ifIeW1ppK7
— David Pollack (@ThePollackShow) October 11, 2023
This isn’t the first instance of Mills’ valor. In 2021, before his election to the House of Representatives, Mills, then a private citizen, chartered a plane to Afghanistan to rescue Americans left behind after the Biden administration’s withdrawal. The daring mission was not without its challenges, as Mills was reportedly almost shot down by U.S. forces during the operation.
Earlier this Wednesday, it was reported that armed drones of Hezbollah reportedly invaded Israel from the north in Lebanon, creating a multi-front war for Israel. According to on-ground reports, numerous alerts were triggered in the northern regions of Israel. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have yet to confirm the incursion.
Reports emerged that in response to the escalation, the U.S. government announced the immediate evacuation of its embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, but the embassy has rejected those claims. In a statement released earlier, the U.S. State Department urged all American citizens in Lebanon to remain cautious but indicated that the embassy is not being evacuated.
UPDATE: Reports now indicating it was drones, not paraglides.
Sirens still sounding in the north.
Residents asked to shelter immediately.
Updates to come.
— Hamdah Salhut (@hamdahsalhut) October 11, 2023
Israel’s northern front has historically been a point of contention due to the presence of Hezbollah in Lebanon. The current invasion, when confirmed, will mark a significant shift in the Israel-Hamas war in the Middle East.
Hezbollah emerged with the backing of Iran during the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon in the early 1980s. Over the years, Hezbollah has developed both a political arm and a military wing. Politically, they represent a significant portion of the Lebanese Shiite community and hold seats in the Lebanese parliament. Militarily, they have a well-trained and equipped force, which has been involved in various conflicts both within and outside Lebanon.
#BREAKING: Images from southern Lebanon pic.twitter.com/3FwOvHgpDZ
— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) October 11, 2023
Hezbollah has been involved in multiple conflicts with Israel, including the Lebanese Civil War, the South Lebanon conflict (1985–2000), and the 2006 Lebanon War. The group has launched rocket attacks into Israel, conducted raids, and engaged in tunneling activities along the Israeli-Lebanese border.
Reminders if northern front opens.
Hezbollah is a terrorist organization controlled by Iran.
Hezbollah like Hamas uses human shields.
Hezbollah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad sit together in Beirut in a joint cell coordinated by Iran.
Hezbollah threat much greater. Massive arsenal…
— Richard Goldberg (@rich_goldberg) October 11, 2023
The United States, Canada, the European Union, the Arab League, and several other countries and entities have designated Hezbollah or its military wing as a terrorist organization. However, Hezbollah has received significant financial, political, and military support from Iran, which views the group as a strategic ally and a counterweight to Israel in the region.
The group acts as a proxy for Iranian interests and has contributed to sectarian tensions both in Lebanon and across the Middle East.