“Demand More Accountability: Senate Dems Urge Biden to Act on Civillian Deaths in Gaza

The Senate Democrats have recently issued a joint statement to President Joe Biden requesting that his administration exhibit more oversight on the civilian casualties suffered during the recent fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. This comes as a direct response to evidence of alleged civilian deaths at the hands of Israeli security forces. The statement was signed by 12 Senate Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and influential members like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. In the statement, they urge the administration to take a “solemn obligation” to not remain “silent” on the matter and called on Joe Biden to do more to ensure that innocent lives are protected during times of escalating conflict. The Democrats also requested for greater transparency from the United Nations, specifically when it comes to identifying the number of civilian casualties that have occurred since the outbreak of violence several weeks ago. In their statement, the Senators recognized the “profoundly tragic toll” this conflict has taken and made it clear that they want to wait for more accurate reports and estimates before passing judgment. Their requests come in the wake of reported death of at least 230 Palestinians, including 69 children and 39 women, since violence erupted in mid-May. While some of these deaths have been attributed to Hamas militants, the majority of them are thought to be civilians. Many of the casualties have been attributed to airstrikes from the Israeli Defense Forces, and this has sparked public outcry from organizations like Human Rights Watch and United Nations humanitarians. The United Nations has also voiced condemnation over the devastating civilian casualties and calls for an international investigation. Such an investigation would shed more light on the conduct of both the Israeli forces and Hamas, with the ultimate hope that future conflicts will avoid the same fate as the recent fighting in the Gaza Strip. In short, it is clear that the Senate Democrats are looking for greater oversight from the Biden administration when it comes to preventing civilian casualties in times of conflict. At the same time, they recognize that an impartial international investigation is the best way to get closer to the truth and provide victims of the conflict with the justice they deserve.