The American website "Axios" reported that dozens of Democrats in the House of Representatives, led by their Jewish colleagues, called on the administration of President Joe Biden to pressure Israel to allow the transfer of fuel shipments to the Gaza Strip.

The website said that lawmakers stressed, in a letter to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, “the urgent need to supply relief groups working in the Gaza Strip with large quantities of fuel through vetted international or non-governmental organizations.”

Lawmakers warned that the lack of sufficient energy to operate hospitals, desalination plants and wastewater treatment facilities "will lead to a potentially massive public health crisis."

Campaign leadership

The website explained that this call is led by Jewish Democratic Representative Susan Wild, Democrat Jamie Raskin, and Democrat Jan Schakowsky.

He noted that the number of signatories to the letter was 48 prominent progressives such as Representatives Jim McGovern, Pramila Jayapal, Seth Moulton, and Susie Lee.

He added that several members represent swing districts, including Wild, Rep. Matt Cartwright, Jahana Hayes, Val Howell and Chris DiLuzio.

Increasing discomfort

He said that this letter to the Biden administration is another example of the growing uneasiness among Democratic lawmakers regarding Israeli military action and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

Axios pointed out that although Israel recently allowed the transfer of limited amounts of fuel to Gaza, it still greatly restricts these supplies, claiming that the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) will divert them and perhaps use them as a weapon.

He said the lawmakers noted in their letter that Blinken and other Biden administration officials said there was no evidence yet that Hamas stole any humanitarian aid.

Source: Axios+aljazeera