Chris Van Hollen: “On the humanitarian front, millions of Palestinian civilians are desperately trying to cling to life as we speak here. I…”

“On the humanitarian front, millions of Palestinian civilians are desperately trying to cling to life as we speak here. I have met with the leaders of international humanitarian organizations who have operated in conflict zones around the world for decades and for decades. Every one of them--every one--has stated that their organizations have never--never--experienced a humanitarian disaster as dire and terrible as the world is witnessing in Gaza. That is why 5 weeks ago, Senator Merkley and I traveled to the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza to see for ourselves what was happening, to talk to people on the ground. What we saw and learned indicated that Palestinians--Palestinian civilians--are on the verge of starvation; that injured children are having their limbs amputated without anesthesia; that sewage continues to spill into the streets and contaminate the water supplies; and health officials are warning of the imminent outbreak of cholera and other diseases. Diseases like dysentery are already rampant, especially in kids. That is why last week, 25 U.S. Senators wrote to President Biden urging the administration to do more to push the Netanyahu coalition to allow more desperately needed assistance to reach innocent civilians in Gaza. We outlined five specific measures that need to be taken immediately. That was not the first time many of us wrote to President Biden to express our concerns about the conduct of the war in Gaza.…”