Washington, D.C. — Early this morning, Israeli troops opened fire on civilians rushing toward humanitarian aid trucks. Following the incident, Patrick Gaspard, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, released the following statement:
The horrific news out of Rashid Street in Gaza this morning sharpens the reality that it is past time for the United States to reconsider its sponsorship of the Netanyahu leadership in this conflict. There is no justification for killing civilians desperately trying to get food. This massacre demands widespread and specific condemnation, urgent investigation, and accountability for all responsible.
The claim by the Israel Defense Forces that this resulted from a stampede only serves to highlight the need for independent international organizations to lead the humanitarian efforts in Gaza. As U.S. officials have worked for months following the terrorists acts of October 7 to deliver lifesaving aid to desperate civilians in the face of famine and starvation, the Netanyahu government has time and again impeded this delivery. U.S. law requires the administration to halt delivery of arms to countries impeding U.S. humanitarian assistance. This must be on the table.
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