Senate Democrats join call for cease-fire in Gaza

A group of Democratic senators is calling for a “short-term cessation of hostilities” in Gaza.

A statement by the group of 13 senators said, “The failure to adequately protect non-combatant civilians risks dramatic escalation of the conflict in the region and imposes severe damage on prospects for peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians.”

They wrote that they “join President Biden in his call for a short-term cessation of hostilities that post high-risk to civilians, aid workers or humanitarian aid delivery in Gaza.”

The 13 senators are Cory Booker of New Jersey, Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin of Illinois, Tim Kaine of Virginia, Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Tina Smith of Minnesota, Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Peter Welch of Vermont, Mark Warner of Virginia and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.

The cessation of hostilities, they wrote, should be imposed to accomplish three goals: get humanitarian aid to civilians, focus on the hostages taken during the Oct. 7 terrorist raid, and facilitate conversation between Israeli and Palestinian leaders, along with regional and global partners, to talk about strategies to end the conflict.

“Based on the consensus of opinion of U.S. and international aid officials, it is nearly impossible to deliver sufficient humanitarian aid to protect civilian life under current conditions,” they wrote.

Mr. Biden on Wednesday said that a “pause” was needed to “get the prisoners out” after he was interrupted at a campaign reception in Minnesota.

Mr. Durbin, who is the majority whip, is the highest-ranking Senate Democratic leader to support a cease-fire. However, he said a cease-fire would only be appropriate if Hamas would release hostages.