U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, released a statement Thursday urging for “a mutually agreed-upon humanitarian pause” in the Israel-Hamas War.
“The suffering in Gaza is worsening by the day, and a mutually agreed-upon humanitarian pause is the only way to deliver adequate aid to those in need, create space for negotiations for the release of hostages, and chart a path forward that protects civilians. Continued violence will no doubt compound this already dire situation,” said Schatz.
The war started on Oct. 7, 2023, when the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas invaded Israel, killing roughly 1,400 people and taking about 200 people hostage. Since then, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin has promised to “destroy” Hamas, and the Israeli military has launched a relentless campaign in Gaza.
After weeks of fighting, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry says more than 9,000 Palestinians have died. Also, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been driven from their homes, while food, water, and fuel are running low.
“Israel has the right to defend its citizens from an ongoing terrorist threat, and a humanitarian pause does not undermine that right,” Schatz continued. “While a temporary halt does not solve the fundamental, long-term security and humanitarian issues facing the region, the scale of human suffering right now is untenable. To achieve a just and lasting peace, we must redouble our efforts to get back on track to reach a two-state solution.”
Schatz is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He is also Jewish.
The senator’s statement comes a day after President Joe Biden said there should be a humanitarian “pause” in the Israel-Hamas War.
“I think we need a pause. A pause means give time to get the prisoners out,” said Biden, referring to the hostages taken by Hamas.
Biden’s comments came after a campaign speech he was making in Minneapolis was interrupted by a progressive rabbi who was calling for a cease-fire.
"This is incredibly complicated for the Israelis. It's incredibly complicated for the Muslim world as well ... I supported a two-state solution; I have from the very beginning,” he said. "The fact of the matter is that Hamas is a terrorist organization. A flat-out terrorist organization."
Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.