Democrats urge US to press Egypt, Israel on Gaza border restrictions
A letter signed by 53 House Democrats described the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip as "untenable."
A group of Democratic lawmakers called on US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to press Israel and Egypt to allow the free flow of humanitarian aid into the impoverished Gaza Strip, expressing their “immense alarm” over current border controls and restrictions on trade.
“The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza is untenable,” read a letter signed by 53 House members led by Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and Mark Pocan (D-Wis.).
“Ensuring that Palestinians residing in Gaza receive humanitarian aid is vital to securing the well-being of Gaza’s 2.1 million residents,” they said.
Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip, a tiny seaside territory of some 2 million people, from the rival Palestinian Authority in 2007. Israel and Egypt have since maintained a blockade that rights groups say amounts to collective punishment.
