WASHIGNTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—the first Senator in Congress to call for a lasting ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war—issued the following statement after negotiators announced a deal had been reached to pause fighting in Gaza:
“I am highly encouraged by the news of a ceasefire deal that includes a pause in hostilities, the release of dozens of hostages, and an influx of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
“While Israel had every right to go after Hamas following the horrific violence of October 7th, the way it has done so is unacceptable. The Netanyahu government rejected a targeted campaign against Hamas in favor of indiscriminate bombing, resulting in unimaginable devastation across Gaza and the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinian women, children, and elderly people.
“Much of Netanyahu’s military campaign has been conducted with American bombs and offensive weapons, making the United States complicit in this humanitarian crisis. The Netanyahu government has also obstructed the delivery of humanitarian aid, in violation of U.S. and international law. The result has been massive shortages of food and medicine, leaving Palestinian civilians on the brink of famine.
“This long overdue ceasefire agreement is a step toward healing the wounds of those grieving the loss of family members and friends and securing the release of remaining hostages. In the weeks ahead, all parties must commit to seeing through each phase of this agreement, which must include the immediate delivery of desperately needed humanitarian aid into Gaza. In the longer term, the Israeli and Palestinian peoples, alongside their leaders and partners across the region, must work toward a sustainable two-state solution fulfilling the promise of peace and security sought by all sides. This is the only way to truly end the war and break the cycle of violence for all peoples in the region.”
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