DeLauro Statement on Israeli Plan to Reoccupy Gaza

Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) issued the following statement:

"Prime Minister Netanyahu's alleged 'plan' will supercharge the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where aid has been completely choked off, leaving millions in famine. Instead of allowing aid into Gaza to be managed by experienced international organizations and trusted local partners, media reports claim that Israel's new plan is to take direct control of aid distribution, aided by private for-profit U.S. contractors, to dramatically limit supplies - a clear recipe for exacerbating hunger and further restricting fuel and medicine in Gaza.

"With this plan, Israel is effectively returning to the pre-2005 occupation of Gaza, which clearly failed to ensure Israel's security and root out radicalization and extremism in the region. Israel cannot work towards long-term peace or security if it is acting as a military occupier, including through this new plan's proposed forced displacement of civilians - a clear violation of international law.

"This must end. Israel must return to the negotiating table to resume the ceasefire it has broken, and Hamas must free the remaining hostages. I call on the Trump Administration to use all diplomatic tools at its disposal to achieve these goals. This is the only way to begin moving toward a two-state solution, which is how we achieve peace in the region."