The Biden administration has been urged to do more in order for a ceasefire to be observed in Gaza.
Progressive US Congresswoman, Cori Bush called on the Biden administration to use leverage such as arms sales to Israel to push for a ceasefire.
Bush said in a social media post, “We introduced our #CeasefireNOW Resolution #OTD [on this day] a year ago,” adding that a permanent ceasefire then could have saved thousands of lives and helped free hostages and those arbitrarily detained.
Bush added that President Biden can save lives today by imposing an arms embargo [and] securing a permanent ceasefire.
Similarly, Progressive United States Senator, Bernie Sanders said that the US must end the transfer of offensive weapons to Israel.
“When Congress returns, the Senate will be voting on my resolution to block offensive arms sales to Israel. How many thousands more children must Netanyahu starve, kill, or orphan before the US changes its policy?
“We must end our complicity in this cruel and illegal war.”
Bernie Sanders
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire with access to basic services worsening. Food supplies to besieged enclave have fallen sharply.
In a letter to Israel’s Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant and Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said that if Israel did not improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza in 30 days, the U.S. could reevaluate its military support
The letter was first reported by Israeli media and later confirmed by the State Department’s top spokesperson.
Marwan Bishara, a senior political analyst, said the US warning to Israel that it has 30 days to increase the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza or risk losing access to US weapons funding is little more than a deflection.
“There is always some sort of American reservation about this, that and the other thing. While at the same time providing more and more arms to Israel. More and more money. And more and more diplomatic shield to Israel as it carries out its genocide. And as it carries out its war crimes in the West Bank and in Lebanon.”
Marwan Bishara
“He stated that every time an American says we are ‘concerned’, one should only roll their eyes.
“We know that when 1,000 children died [in Gaza], they were ‘concerned’. When more than 40,000 people died, they were ‘concerned’. When Israel expanded the war into Lebanon, they were ‘concerned’
“It’s not working any more.”
Marwan Bishara
Lebanon Not Ready For The Cold
The humanitarian crisis has spread to Lebanon, with a senior official with the UN children’s agency urging the international community to respond to the massive humanitarian crisis created by Israel’s military operations there.
UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, Ted Chaiban said that at present, about 1.2 million people had been displaced, among them 400,000 children.
“Nearly 190,000 of those forced from their homes are in more than makeshift shelters hoping for a semblance of safety – mostly public schools, while countless others seek refuge with anyone who can offer a roof and a place to rest. Some have no option but the beachfront or the street.”
Ted Chaiban
He said that there is a massive need for food, water, medical supplies and emergency shelters, and said it is vital money was found to secure them. “Winter is coming, it is getting cold here, it will get cold in Beirut soon enough and we need to be ready to support families as it gets cold,” he said.
He urged the international community to act with urgency, stating that funding is critical and UNICEF’s appeal is 8 percent funded right now.
He added that funding must be free from conditionalities that hinder swift action.
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