Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on Sunday issued one of his strongest calls yet for Israel to seek nothing short of a decisive military victory over Hamas, urging the Jewish state to “annihilate” the terrorist group and rebuild Gaza much like the United States rebuilt Germany and Japan after World War II.

Speaking on CBS News’ Meet the Press, Graham bristled at what he described as unnecessary debates over Israel’s military conduct. “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,” he said.

Graham insisted that Israel must be prepared to take Gaza militarily “unless the hostages are released,” declaring: “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.”

Enough already. Hamas stands in the way of peace.

Israel is our greatest ally in the Middle East, and we will always stand with them. pic.twitter.com/tzGjdPatEL

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) August 10, 2025

Postwar vision runs through Riyadh

The South Carolina Republican outlined a post-Hamas vision in which Arab states—led by Saudi Arabia—would play a central role in determining Gaza’s future.

“Eventually the Arabs will take over. The future of Palestine runs through Riyadh. The future of the Mideast runs through Riyadh,” Graham said. “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.”

Consistent backing for total victory

Graham has been one of the most vocal supporters of Israel’s military campaign since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks that killed approximately 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and saw 251 taken hostage. In July, he told NBC News that he believed Israel was shifting toward a strategy of outright military conquest to end the war.

At the time, he dismissed any possibility of a negotiated settlement with Hamas: “Hamas is a terrorist organization, chartered to destroy the State of Israel. They’re religious Nazis. They hold Israeli hostages.”

He argued then—as now—that Israel would have to take Gaza “by force” and “start over again,” creating a better future for Palestinians while ensuring Israeli security.

Graham also suggested a broader regional realignment could emerge from Hamas’s defeat, with Gulf Arab states taking on governance roles in both Gaza and the West Bank—a prospect he says could foster long-term stability and pave the way for resumed Israeli-Saudi normalization.

The senator’s remarks come as Israel’s security cabinet weighs whether to pursue full-scale conquest of Gaza or continue its current strategy of attrition—decisions that could shape the region’s trajectory for years to come.

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