Sen. Peter Welch is now calling for an "indefinite cease-fire" between Israel and Hamas.
He's the second member of Vermont's congressional delegation to do so. Rep. Becca Balint called for a cease-fire on Nov. 16.
And since last week, the Israel and Hamas have been observing a temporary truce to allow for the exchange of hostages and prisoners. But it could end this week.
Hamas killed more than 1,200 people and took several hundred hostages when the group attacked Israel on Oct. 7. That's according to the Israeli government.
In response, Israel has killed at least 13,300 Palestinians, according to the Ministry of Health in Hamas-run Gaza.
But since the short cease-fire began on Nov. 24, Welch says it's given him hope.
He also says it's stopped Israel's "indiscriminate" bombing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, and has allowed international aid groups to bring in vital humanitarian supplies.
"What the U.N. workers are saying is, that if they don't get sustainable humanitarian aid, then we're going to have more women and children dying of malnutrition, of starvation and of disease," Welch said. "So this pause has really been absolutely essential on saving some of the innocent Palestinian lives who've just been caught in this crossfire."
Welch says it's also essential that any additional U.S. aid for Israel be used only for purposes that "comply with international humanitarian law."
Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.
