US Republican representative calls for a nuclear attack on Gaza

Tim Walberg, a Republican member of the US House of Representatives, received reaction from Democrats for his words that the Gaza Strip should be treated 'like Nagasaki and Hiroshima'.

According to the video published on social media, Walberg argued in a speech at a town hall that the US "should not spend a single penny on humanitarian aid" to Gaza.

Referring to the Japanese cities where the USA dropped an atomic bomb in 1945, Walberg said, "The work should be like Nagasaki and Hiroshima, it should be over quickly."

Following his statement, Walberg received intense reaction from certain segments of the Democratic Party.

The representative later claimed that he was not calling for the use of nuclear weapons in his statement, claiming that he was 'using a metaphor to express that both Israel and Ukraine should win their wars as quickly as possible'.

Noting that the video was taken out of context, Walberg said, "End it quickly. The same thing should happen in Ukraine. Defeat Putin as soon as possible."

Speaking to Axios, Walberg said: "For those who read my answer in its entirety, rather than a shortened section or headline, it is clear that I was talking about the military aid and large-scale attacks that both Israel and Ukraine are engaged in to quickly win their respective wars."

“I encourage our members who would like more information or have concerns to reach out to me,” the representative said. he added.

However, "No matter how much he tries to backtrack, it's clear what he means," Democratic Representative Susan Wild told Axios.

Describing the comment as 'despicable', Wild said: "No member of Congress should make jokes about nuclear bombs, and this shows Israel's complete disregard for Palestinian lives, not to mention its proximity to Gaza."

Representative Becca Balint also called the statement "absolutely disgusting and appalling."