Huffman Statement on Current Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

August 01, 2025

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02) released the following statement on the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza:

"The humanitarian crisis in Gaza must end now. With all the stipulations and prior statements I have made about Hamas’ brutal terrorism, Israel’s right to defend itself against true security threats, and the imperative of Hamas releasing the hostages, right now the burden of ending the humanitarian tragedy falls on the Israeli government – and on the United States as Israel’s closest ally. We cannot become numb to the rising civilian death toll, suffering, starvation and near-total destruction in Gaza – it demands the world’s immediate attention.

For many months I have joined dozens of colleagues in Congress in calling for an end to this terrible war and a meaningful path to peace. I have called repeatedly for both the Biden and Trump administrations to use every diplomatic, economic, and humanitarian tool to push for a permanent ceasefire – one that allows lifesaving aid to flow without obstruction, frees the hostages, disarms Hamas, and ends the bombardment and occupation.

I have also pointedly challenged the Netanyahu government to stop obstructing aid deliveries and open every possible channel – land, sea, and air – to humanitarian relief. Starving children, blocking medical supplies, shelling ambulances and shooting aid workers and desperate civilians trying to get food for themselves and their children is inexcusable.

I am dismayed and frankly disgusted by the failure of our government, and the Israeli government, to show moral clarity and humanity in the face of this worsening tragedy. So much more can and must be done – and every day that passes without urgent action means more preventable deaths, more suffering, and more instability in the region.

I have signed onto a letter with my Congressional colleagues to President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio demanding that the United States take concrete steps to achieve a lasting ceasefire and end the man-made starvation. We further call on the administration to join recent actions by other western democracies in officially recognizing the State of Palestine.

For years, U.S. administrations from both parties have acknowledged that a two-state solution is the only viable path to lasting peace. Yet the current Israeli government’s accelerating annexation in the West Bank and talk of annexing parts of Gaza make this outcome increasingly precarious. That’s why the U.S. must step up and lead – by recognizing Palestinian statehood, holding all parties accountable to international law, and finally laying the groundwork for an independent, demilitarized Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel.

This is not just about ending a war. It’s about ending this cycle of despair and showing the world that America has the courage to lead toward a just and sustainable peace – and that we will not stand by while innocent people starve."

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