In the wake of Hamas’ horrific attack on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent Israeli military operation and resulting humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the United States will need to take proactive steps to secure the release of hostages, peace between Israelis and Palestinians, and a path to two states living in dignity and security. While affirming Israel’s right to defend itself, Washington must reject any attempts to forcibly displace populations or use the withholding of humanitarian assistance as a tool of war, which are violations of international law, or to change the territorial status quo in Gaza or the West Bank. The U.S. should also join with our allies in insisting that Israelis and Palestinians alike enjoy equal rights under the law.
Call on Congress to support diplomatic steps to end the war in Gaza and to reject the forced displacement of populations, withholding of humanitarian assistance, and unilateral territorial changes in Gaza or the West Bank.
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Weeks after the release of President Trump’s 20-point peace plan to end the war in Gaza, Israeli and Hamas leadership reached an agreement in October 2025 on the first phase of a ceasefire and hostage release deal. Under the terms of the agreement, Hamas will release all remaining hostages while Israeli forces will pull back from parts of Gaza, allowing for a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Israel will also release around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Following the Israeli military’s announcement of a ceasefire on October 10, thousands of Palestinians in southern Gaza have begun to travel back to the north, many for the first time since the outbreak of the conflict.
Lasting peace will require extensive negotiations on the many unresolved issues around the future of Gaza and the role of Hamas. The Trump administration’s plan calls for the disarmament of Hamas fighters and a temporary transitional government, while rejecting forced displacement of Gazans and committing Israel to not occupy or annex Gaza. In September, President Trump similarly voiced opposition to Israeli efforts to annex the West Bank for the first time, likely in an effort to garner support for the peace agreement from Arab partners.
Previously, President Trump had stated that if Hamas rejected the proposal, the Netanyahu government would have his “full backing” to “finish the job.” In the weeks prior to the ceasefire, the Netanyahu government had engaged in military operations to takeover and occupy Gaza City, moves previously supported by President Trump that have significantly exacerbated the already-dire humanitarian crisis and famine in northern Gaza. Over half a million people in the Gaza Strip are facing starvation, death, and destitution, with another million people experiencing near-famine conditions. Earlier this summer, the United States declined to join a statement released by all other members of the UN Security Council identifying the famine as a “manmade crisis.”
The Trump administration continues to move forward with unrestricted arms sales to Israel, including 2,000-pound bombs that have been connected to civilian harm. In July, a majority of Senate Democrats voted in support of a resolution to block the sale of certain offensive weapons to the Israeli government, perhaps reflecting the shifting views of the American public, who now support limiting military aid by a significant margin (60-32).
