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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In October 2025, Israeli and Hamas leadership agreed to a ceasefire deal that provided for the release of all remaining hostages, a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and a surge of humanitarian aid. The deal is the first phase of a negotiated agreement to end the conflict, based on a 20-point peace plan put forth by President Trump.
Since then, the situation has remained extremely tenuous, with key portions of the agreement met—the return of all living hostages, partial Israeli pullback—and other provisions—the return of all deceased hostages, full humanitarian access—still incomplete. Intermittent violence has also continued, as IDF soldiers defend the withdrawal line and Hamas cracks down on rival groups.
Senior members of the Trump administration, including Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Special Advisor Jared Kushner, have all visited Israel to ensure the ceasefire remains in place. 200 U.S. servicemembers have also been deployed to a military base in Israel to help monitor the ceasefire.
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.
Prior to the resurgence of aid permitted during the ceasefire, over half a million people in the Gaza Strip were facing starvation, death, and destitution, with another million people experiencing near-famine conditions.
Meanwhile, 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).
