28 DEMOCRATS URGE PRESIDENT TRUMP TO CALL ON NETANYAHU TO ADDRESS HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN GAZA

WASHINGTON - Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and co-chair of Abraham Accords Caucus, led 27 fellow House Democrats on a letter to President Trump urging him to call on Prime Minister Netanyahu to immediately restore the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

The letter notes Israel is fighting an existential war. "Israel has the right and obligation to defeat Hamas and rescue the hostages," the members wrote. "At the same time, it is critical that Israel enables entry of lifesaving humanitarian aid into Gaza. We respectfully urge you to call on Prime Minister Netanyahu to immediately address this humanitarian crisis and promote lasting peace"

"There will not be peace as long as Hamas reigns terror over Gaza and seeks to destroy Israel," added Rep. Schneider. "As Israel works to defeat and dismantle Hamas, it must also facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Just as it is crucial for food, water, and medicines to get to civilians, it is imperative that Hamas, and gangs affiliated with Hamas, are not allowed to hijack future aid entering the Strip."

Members who signed the letter include Reps. Wesley Bell (MO-01), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Gilbert Cisneros (CA-31), Steve Cohen (TN-07), Angie Craig (MN-02), Danny Davis (IL-07), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Robin Kelly (IL-02), George Latimer (NY-16), John Mannion (NY-22), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Frank Mrvan (IN-01), Johnny Olszewski (MD-02), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Brittany Petterson (CO-07), Kim Schrier (WA-08), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), and Eugene Vindman (VA-07).

The full letter text is below.

Dear President Trump:

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a brutal and unprovoked war on Israel, murdering civilians and kidnapping hundreds of hostages. More than 40 Americans were killed, 13 were taken hostage, and five still remain unaccounted for. Presently, 59 hostages are still held in Gaza, of which 24 are presumed living and languishing in Hamas's tunnels, enduring unspeakable abuse and terror.

Israel has the right and obligation to defeat Hamas and rescue the hostages. At the same time, it is critical that Israel enables entry of lifesaving humanitarian aid into Gaza. We respectfully urge you to call on Prime Minister Netanyahu to immediately address this humanitarian crisis and promote lasting peace.

You recently highlighted the ongoing humanitarian suffering in Gaza, where Hamas uses Palestinian civilians as human shields. We appreciate your recognition of the urgent need for food, water, and medicine to reach civilians - and we agree. The World Food Program recently announced that its warehouses are now empty, and many civilians are suffering from lack of access to food and clean water. It is vital for humanitarian assistance to again get to those in need, even amid the ongoing conflict. We also urge you to keep your recent commitment "to help the people of Gaza get some food."

We recognize that restoring humanitarian aid must coexist with the campaign to return the hostages and defeat Hamas. Failing to ensure aid reaches civilians risks greater humanitarian catastrophe, strengthens Hamas's false narratives, risks Israel's international standing, and undermines the moral clarity of the need to dismantle Hamas and bring hopes for peace and prosperity to the region. The United States must both stand with our allies and uphold our values, including protecting civilian life. Ensuring the safe and sustained delivery of humanitarian aid, while continuing to stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel in its fight against terrorism, is essential to returning the hostages while preserving our shared commitment to security, justice, and human dignity.

We respectfully urge you to continue speaking out about the importance of restoring humanitarian assistance and to encourage Prime Minister Netanyahu to enable the delivery of life-saving food, water, and medicine to civilians in Gaza without delay. Your leadership at this critical moment can help save lives, reinforce America's steadfast support for both our values and our allies, and support Israel's vital mission to dismantle Hamas and bring every hostage home.

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