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.
The Latest
Nearly two years into the conflict and despite Hamas’ agreement to the latest ceasefire proposal led by Egypt and Qatar, the Netanyahu government is moving forward with plans to imminently takeover Gaza City, a move supported by President Trump but likely to only prolong the war. On August 31, Prime Minister Netanyahu reportedly declined to hold a vote on the ceasefire proposal, a phased approach that would have resulted in the release of about 10 hostages, and dismissed concerns from the head of the Israeli Defense Forces that the Gaza City operation would lead to the full-fledged military occupation of the Gaza Strip.
These developments come just weeks after famine was formally declared in northern Gaza, which includes Gaza City. Over half a million people in the Gaza Strip are facing starvation, death, and destitution, with another million people experiencing near-famine conditions. 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.”
Aid distribution in Gaza continues to be extremely limited and predominantly confined to sites operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an organization receiving funding from the State Department but rejected by UN officials and international aid groups for violating core humanitarian principles. More than 1,800 people have been killed trying to access aid since the GHF began operations, with the majority killed near GHF distribution sites and almost all by Israeli fire.
The Trump administration continues to provide unrestricted arms to Israel (more than $12 billion total), 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).
