Washington D.C. – Senator Bernie Sanders has issued a pressing call for the United States to demand that Israel immediately allow full humanitarian aid access to Gaza. The appeal comes amidst increasingly dire winter conditions and a growing humanitarian crisis in the region.
In a statement released Wednesday, Senator Sanders highlighted the plight of over one million displaced Palestinians who are lacking shelter and essential supplies. He noted that a staggering 92% of homes have been destroyed. He also stated that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government continues to restrict the entry of vital aid, including tents and food, into Gaza, actions that he claims are in violation of the ceasefire agreement.
The situation on the ground is described as catastrophic, with approximately 1.5 million Palestinians displaced across Gaza. These individuals are reportedly facing extreme hardship due to limited access to basic necessities and vital services, a situation exacerbated by the ongoing blockade.
Palestinian authorities estimate that Gaza requires nearly 300,000 tents and prefabricated housing units to address the most urgent shelter needs following widespread infrastructure damage sustained over two years. Despite a ceasefire agreement signed on October 10th, which explicitly stipulated the reopening of crossings and the allowance of shelter materials, including tents and mobile homes, Palestinian officials assert that Israel has failed to uphold these commitments. This failure, they argue, is compounding the devastating toll of the conflict, which began in October 2023 and has resulted in approximately 70,000 deaths and 171,000 injuries, according to local health authorities. The majority of casualties are reported to be women and children.
Senator Sanders’ call underscores the growing international concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the need for immediate action to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population.
