WASHINGTON: A group of U.S. Democrat senators have asked President Joe Biden to press Israel to take immediate steps regarding reopening of major border crossing to help provide humanitarian assistance to the innocent people in Gaza, Western media reported on Monday.
The senators in a letter to Biden said that civilians must be protected during armed conflict under the International Humanitarian Law requires.
The letter was written by Senators Tammy Baldwin, Tim Kaine and Chris Van Hollen, and signed by eight other Senate Democrats.
Since the start of Israel’s bombardment of Gaza on October 7, the conflict has resulted in massive casualties. According to Palestinian authorities at least 13,000 Palestinians have been killed, including over 9,000 women and children, with more than 30,000 others sustaining injuries.
Two thirds of Gaza’s 2.3 million population have been made homeless
According to the United Nations two thirds of Gaza’s 2.3 million population have been made homeless.
The relentless air and ground attacks have also caused extensive damage to buildings, including hospitals, mosques, and churches.
The dire situation in Gaza is compounded by an Israeli blockade, severing the region from essential supplies such as fuel, electricity, and water. Aid deliveries to Gaza have reached to a minimum.
The US lawmakers in the letter stressed to working toward the delivery of water, food, fuel and other basic necessities in the conflict zone.
They called for reopening the Kerem Shalom border crossing between Israel and Gaza, protection of civilians and civilian sites.
The lawmakers expressed concern over the increased and prolonged suffering in Gaza. They noted that suffering of civilians is not only intolerable for Palestine but would also have negative impact on the security of Israeli civilians.
