‘Despicable’: US Senator Bernie Sanders condemns Israel’s war plan
Independent United States Senator Bernie Sanders has decried Israel’s war plans to expand its attack on Gaza, occupy the enclave long term, and take control of aid distribution.
There have been “64 days with no aid reaching Gaza. No food, no water, no medicine. Children are starving,” Sanders said, referring to the period since Israel resumed attacks following a weeks-long ceasefire.
“Netanyahu’s extremist government now says it will occupy Gaza and put mercenaries in charge of distributing aid, instead of the UN and other aid groups,” he said. “Despicable. No more US support for Netanyahu’s war machine.”
64 days with no aid reaching Gaza. No food, no water, no medicine. Children are starving.
Netanyahu’s extremist government now says it will occupy Gaza and put mercenaries in charge of distributing aid, instead of the UN and other aid groups.
Despicable. No more US support…
— Sen. Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) May 5, 2025
Israeli captive families denounce new war escalation plan
As Israel’s government threatens to escalate its war on Gaza, opinion polls show the Israeli public increasingly wants a deal to bring back the remaining 59 captives there.
Angry scenes erupted outside the Israeli parliament or Knesset, with dozens of protesters scuffling with police on Monday.
“All the families are tired,” said Ruby Chen, whose son Itay was killed in the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. “All the families have been scared about this new manoeuvring because there is no guarantee that it will get us to where the families want.”
Israel approved plans on Monday to capture the entire Gaza Strip and remain in the Palestinian territory for an unspecified amount of time. The move would jeopardise the lives of those still being held by Hamas, say the families of captives.
Pro-Israel demonstrators gather for a ‘Bring Them Home Now’ rally outside Columbia University in New York City, the United States
Red Cross: Gaza humanitarian aid should not be ‘politicised’
Humanitarian aid must immediately reach Gaza’s besieged residents and should not be politicised, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says.
“The level of need among civilians in Gaza right now is overwhelming and aid needs to be let in immediately,” spokesman Christian Cardon said.
“Under international humanitarian law, Israel has an obligation to use all means available to ensure that the basic needs of the civilian population under its control are met.”
Israel has accused Hamas of diverting humanitarian aid – which Hamas denies – and said its blockade is necessary to pressure the group to release Israeli captives amid the ongoing starvation in the enclave.
“The ICRC manages and distributes humanitarian supplies directly or together with our partners so we see where those items go,” Cardon said. “Our deliveries into Gaza are conducted in full transparency with all relevant authorities.”
