Congressional Democrats are urging President Joe Biden to push Israel to take stronger steps towards safeguarding children in Gaza amidst the ongoing conflict.
Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland is leading the effort alongside Jewish lawmakers and other members of Congress to push for a general cease-fire, despite President Biden’s opposition to the idea. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that he is against a general cease-fire “without the release of our hostages,” as he stated in an interview with ABC News on Nov. 6.
On Tuesday, a group of 25 cosigners led by Raskin and Jim McGovern of Massachusetts reached out to President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken via a letter. They urged the administration to prioritize the safety of infants and children who are currently living in areas of terror and violence. The letter comes after Hamas launched surprise terror attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, which led to Israel retaliating with strikes in Gaza.
In November 20, 2023, medics got premature babies ready for transportation to Egypt. They were evacuated from Shifa Hospital in Gaza City to a hospital in Rafah, Gaza Strip.
The photo credit for the image belongs to Fatima Shbair from the Associated Press.
Israeli officials confirm that the initial terror attack resulted in the death of over 1,200 people. In retaliation, more than 14,000 people have lost their lives in Gaza, as reported by the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.
Prior to the Israeli government’s approval of a deal on Tuesday night, which would result in the release of a minimum of 50 women and children previously held hostage during a four-day ceasefire, a letter had been sent. The agreement also includes the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners by Israel.
While expressing gratitude towards President Biden for his efforts in urging Israel to increase aid to the Gaza Strip, the signatories of the statement believe that more needs to be done. They appreciate his support but feel that the situation in Gaza requires urgent attention and additional assistance.
In their statement, the authors expressed their appreciation for the recent progress made in the region. However, they also noted their concern that the ongoing humanitarian crisis could worsen and become a catastrophe that would damage the United States’ credibility. The authors called for an immediate halt to all attacks against targets where civilians may be present, in order to ensure the safety and timely evacuation of vulnerable children and infants.
Advocates are calling for measures to safeguard the well-being of children in both Israel and the West Bank.
The Israel-Hamas war is taking a toll on the children and women in Gaza, as stated by experts and United Nations agencies. Reports from earlier this month revealed that a staggering 67% of all deaths in Gaza were women and children, with thousands more being injured. This highlights the dire situation that the people of Gaza are currently facing due to the ongoing conflict.
There has been some advancement in safeguarding the safety of the little ones who have been affected by the conflict. Recently, over twenty-five premature and low-birthweight infants were transported from Gaza to Egypt to receive immediate medical attention.
The letter emphasized that protecting children from the devastating effects of terrorism and war should be a universal priority. It called for an immediate end to the endangerment of children, as well as the violation of their rights and physical safety in armed conflicts and terrorist attacks. The authors of the letter urged for an end to the vicious cycle of violence and trauma that has caused irreparable harm to countless children.
According to a U.S. official familiar with the negotiations, the letter specifically referred to Abigail Edan, a 3-year-old Israeli-American orphan who was abducted by Hamas militants on October 7th. The U.S. anticipates that she will be one of the hostages who will be released.
On November 21, 2023, at al Aqsa Hospital in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, medical professionals treated Palestinian children who were injured during the Israeli bombardment of the area.
The photo credit for the image used in the article goes to Marwan Saleh from AP.
A group of over a dozen Democratic senators have urged President Biden to take further action to ensure the protection of innocent civilians in Gaza and provide more humanitarian aid to the region. The call comes amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, which has resulted in the loss of countless lives and significant damage to infrastructure and homes. The senators have emphasized the importance of prioritizing the safety and well-being of all individuals involved in the conflict and have urged the Biden administration to take a more active role in facilitating a peaceful resolution.
House Democrats have written a letter requesting a daily report on the condition of Palestinian and Israeli children affected by the conflict. The report will provide valuable information in delivering the appropriate humanitarian aid to those who need it. The letter specifically asks for accounting of children and babies who have been killed, wounded, or traumatized in the ongoing conflict.
The letter emphasized the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions and urged the US to base its policies and strategies on this principle. The focus should be on protecting, caring for, and providing services to children who face immense danger and loss every day due to the conflict.
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