A group of 13 Democratic U.S. Senators have united in calling for a “short-term cessation of hostilities” between the Israeli military and Hamas. They express concern about the risk this fighting poses to civilians in Gaza. The senators, including Ed Markey, Tim Kaine, and Elizabeth Warren, signed a joint statement on Thursday advocating for a temporary pause in the fighting. This plea comes nearly a month after Hamas gunmen breached the Israel–Gaza barrier, resulting in casualties and hostages.
In response to the Hamas attacks, the Israeli military has imposed restrictions on the flow of essential supplies into the Gaza Strip. They have also conducted airstrikes and limited ground assaults in the region. Reports have surfaced of civilians being caught in the crossfire and losing their lives. The Democratic senators emphasize that while Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas, they also have an obligation to minimize harm to civilians and allow humanitarian aid to reach those in need.
Estimating casualties and determining responsibility is challenging, but a recent report from the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) suggests that as many as 3,450 children have been killed in Gaza since the start of the conflict. The senators highlight the need to protect non-combatant civilians and prevent further escalation of the conflict. They propose a temporary ceasefire to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, focus on freeing hostages, and engage in discussions with Israeli and Palestinian leaders to explore strategies for long-term conflict reduction.
Amidst these developments, President Joe Biden has also expressed support for a pause in the fighting. Previously, Secretary of State Antony Blinken had warned against freezing the situation, and the Biden administration had insisted on Hamas releasing hostages as a precondition for a ceasefire. In response to Biden’s comments, the National Muslim Democratic Council (NMDC) urged him to back calls for a ceasefire by a specific deadline. Although President Biden did not meet this deadline, he reiterated the need for a pause and the release of prisoners during a recent campaign event.
The 13 Democratic senators align themselves with President Biden’s call for a short-term cessation of hostilities. Their statement seems to reference his recent comments at the campaign stop.