Washington: Five US senators have called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to leverage American influence to facilitate the delivery of significant humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, with a particular focus on infant formula for starving babies.
According to Anadolu Agency, Senators Ruben Gallego, Peter Welch, Tim Kaine, Mark Kelly, and Elizabeth Warren expressed urgency in their communication, highlighting "the grave crisis that infants in Gaza face as a result of severe restrictions" on humanitarian aid entry and distribution. They appealed for the United States to "use its full power and authority to immediately facilitate a massive surge in all humanitarian aid."
The lawmakers stressed the moral responsibility of the US and Israel to address the dire conditions affecting Palestinian families, noting that Israel had halted all humanitarian aid entry between March 2 and May 19. Since late May, the implementation of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation system has reportedly led to a "catastrophic decrease in food supplies and other humanitarian aid," according to the senators.
The crisis, described by the lawmakers as one of "access and political will" rather than a lack of funding, has seen pallets of baby formula stranded at Gaza's border. There is an urgent plea to prevent further infant starvation and for ceasefire solutions, emphasizing the need to uphold American values and ensure children are not left starving.
The senators have demanded that Israel immediately reopen all crossing points and significantly increase the volume of aid, while also expanding access for international organizations throughout Gaza.
The Health Ministry in Gaza reported that starvation has claimed the lives of 332 Palestinians since October 7, 2023, including 124 children, with ten deaths, three of which were children, occurring in the past 24 hours. Since the declaration of famine in Gaza on August 22 by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, the ministry has recorded 54 additional deaths linked to hunger, including nine children.
Israel has kept Gaza crossings closed to aid since March 2, leaving convoys stranded at the borders. Local officials estimate that less than one-fifth of the enclave's humanitarian needs are being met. The ongoing Israeli offensive has resulted in the deaths of nearly 63,400 Palestinians since October 2023, exacerbating the famine crisis.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Additionally, Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the enclave.