Speaking before the United States Congress, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Gaza Strip should be led after the war by Palestinians who do not seek to destroy Israel. Many Democratic lawmakers boycotted Netanyahu's speech, and police used pepper spray on protesters outside Congress.

Netanyahu told a joint session of Congress Wednesday (July 24) that the United States must remain united with Israel in its war against Hamas. He said: "For the forces of civilisation to prevail, America and Israel must stand together." He also said that for the foreseeable future, Israel must maintain overwhelming security control over Gaza.

Despite rising criticism of the war, Netanyahu received several standing ovations as he spoke, reflecting his broad bipartisan support. More than two dozen U.S. lawmakers announced they would not attend in protest of the rising death toll and Netanyahu's handling of the war in the Gaza Strip. Some 39,000 Palestinians have died, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry.