WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tomorrow will mark 30 days since the Biden Administration, through the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense, expressed deep concerns about the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, requesting urgent and sustained actions by the Netanyahu government to help innocent civilians. The situation for the people of Gaza has gotten worse in the past month, not better. 

Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) released the following statement: 

“Under international humanitarian law, Israel has an obligation to provide and allow—not impede—the free flow and facilitation of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The Leahy Law and other U.S. laws are clear: all countries are held to the same standard, and all countries that receive U.S. security assistance must follow international humanitarian law. Israel is no different. 

“Yoav Gallant recently confirmed there is no justification for Israel’s continued involvement in Gaza, saying ‘There’s nothing left in Gaza to do. The major achievements have been achieved…I fear we are staying there just because there is a desire to be there.’ Later, according to reports, he said ‘The IDF commander and I said there was no security reason for remaining in the Philadelphi corridor…Netanyahu said that it was a diplomatic consideration; I’m telling you there was no diplomatic consideration.’ If their military objectives are met, why is the U.S. sending offensive weapons for Israel to use in Gaza? Why are we allowing the humanitarian crisis to worsen with U.S. taxpayer dollars?

“I urge the Biden Administration to follow through on its October 13th letter, uphold international humanitarian law, and stop sending offensive military aid to Israel.”

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has continued to escalate: As of today, nearly 43,400 Palestinians are dead. Acute hunger impacts nearly the entire population. The flow of humanitarian aid has completely stopped in parts of Gaza and has fallen by more than 50% overall. More than 100,000 people in North Gaza have gone without aid since October 5th, and are living under a state of siege, constant bombardment, and little access to food, water, or medical care. Mass casualty events are reported almost daily. Tens of thousands of wounded people—including hundreds of children who have lost arms and legs—need medical treatment outside of Gaza but they’re trapped.

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