Topline
The Lincoln Memorial steps and nearby areas were vandalized with red paint and graffiti reading “Free Gaza” overnight, multiple outlets reported, leading to the temporary closure of the memorial.
Workers remove graffiti from a statue in Lafayette Park left by demonstrators over the weekend ... [+]
Key Facts
U.S. Park Police said the vandalism was in the area of the Lincoln Memorial Circle and the Reflecting Pool, the Hill reported.
Video footage from Fox DC showed red paint seemingly dumped on the steps in multiple areas along with the written graffiti.
Park police crews were cleaning the graffiti—which read “Free Gaza” in red paint—on Wednesday and told ABC News the cleanup may take multiple treatments and days to remove.
Police are investigating the incident and asked anyone with information to contact the tip line at (202) 379-4877 or email USPP_tipline@nps.gov.
Surprising Fact
The Lincoln Memorial vandalism isn’t the first pro-Palestinian vandalism since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. In November, people painted “Free Palestine” on statues in Lafayette Square across from the White House, according to ABC News. That vandalism followed a rally outside of the White House in which thousands of demonstrators gathered to demand a cease-fire.
Key Background
The graffiti comes as the conflict between Israel and Gaza nears its third month. More than 20,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, the Times of Israel reported. About 1,200 Israelis have died, the majority of whom were killed in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that started the war.
Tangent
On Wednesday, Egyptian officials said they were mediating talks for another temporary, week-long cease-fire that would allow for more humanitarian aid to get into Gaza and the return of 40 more hostages held by Hamas. Israel and Hamas had not been in negotiations for another pause since the last temporary truce ended Dec. 1 following Israel’s allegations Hamas violated the terms of the truce. During that cease-fire more than 100 hostages were released in exchange for the return of 240 Palestinian prisoners.
