Hundreds of officials from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) signed a letter calling on the administration of US President Joe Biden to push for an “immediate ceasefire and cessation of hostilities” in the war between Israel and Hamas, according to Foreign Policy magazine.

The magazine reported that the letter, a copy of which was obtained, reflects the growing concern within the American government regarding how the American administration supports Israel in its war against Hamas.

The petition represents a growing disagreement between the Biden administration and ordinary American officials who are internally opposed to the White House’s approach to the war, according to the magazine.

The scale of the Israeli response to the Hamas attack led to widespread international condemnation and pressure on the United States to push Israel, its closest regional ally, to ease its military operations.

A White House official said in an interview with reporters on Friday, "Our conversations with Israel contributed to convincing it to follow a strategy in Gaza that is different from its original plans."

Israeli officials insist they follow international law, including issuing advance notices to civilians in Gaza before carrying out strikes, and assert that Hamas regularly uses civilians as human shields in its operations.

The internal letter, which is being distributed for signature among USAID employees, calls for an “immediate ceasefire” and “cessation of hostilities,” according to the magazine.

As of Friday morning, the magazine says, citing its sources, that 370 USAID officials had signed the letter, while the number of signatories did not exceed about 200, as of Thursday evening.

The petition states that the signatories are not being identified due to “concern for our personal safety and the risk of losing our jobs due to our appeal for an immediate ceasefire and cessation of hostilities.”

The magazine reported that three sources from the agency confirmed the existence of the letter and that the signatures were collected via an anonymous Google form circulated among USAID employees. Foreign Policy indicated that it was unable to independently confirm the number of signatures.

In response to a request for comment on the letter to the magazine, agency spokeswoman Jessica Jennings said, “The United States has been clear that every possible measure must be taken to protect Palestinian civilians, and that we support the humanitarian truce in the fight to bring in life-saving humanitarian aid and distribute it to those in need in Gaza".

“We value the ongoing dialogue we have with our dedicated employees and partners, and we continue to welcome our team to share their opinions with leadership,” she added.

Dave Harden, former director of USAID's mission in the West Bank and Gaza, questioned the impact of the letter, saying: "This agency-wide letter, which was likely written in Washington and not in the Middle East, is simply unconvincing and ill-advised."

“USAID, starting at the top level, needs to be more effective within the agencies and operationally on the ground to provide practical steps to increase the flow of... "Aid." “Right now, impact is needed (on the ground), not more words in Washington, D.C.,” he said.

On Friday, 13 US Senate Democrats called in a statement for “a short-term cessation of hostilities that pose a significant risk to civilians, relief workers, or the delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza.”

The senators stressed that Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas, but stressed that it must "minimize harm to civilians and allow humanitarian aid to reach those suffering."