Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently defended her use of the term 'genocide' in reference to Israel's treatment of the Palestinian people and advocated for cuts to US military aid until humanitarian relief reaches Gaza. This decision was made with great seriousness, as she expressed during a speech in the House chamber.
Ocasio-Cortez, known for her condemnation of violence in Gaza, had previously been cautious about labeling Israel's actions as genocide. However, she stated that the escalating crisis in Gaza has reached a critical point, with 1.1 million people facing famine due to intentional blockades of food and aid by Israeli leaders.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, over 32,000 individuals have lost their lives since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began. The entire population of Gaza, totaling 2.2 million, is struggling to access sufficient food, with half on the verge of starvation. The situation is dire, with famine projected to hit the region between mid-March and May 2024.
Ocasio-Cortez emphasized that the current conditions in Gaza constitute a forced famine that cannot be ignored. She pointed out that the crisis is not limited to targeting Hamas but is affecting innocent civilians, including many children.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration is taking a firm stance on the situation, with Vice President Kamala Harris warning against any military offensive in Rafah, where a large population resides in challenging conditions. Efforts are underway to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas and provide essential humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Recent negotiations have seen Israel agreeing to a US proposal regarding the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for hostages held by Hamas. However, challenges remain, including the delivery of aid and military actions in Gaza.
Ocasio-Cortez criticized the Israeli government's decision to restrict aid until certain conditions are met, arguing that innocent Palestinians should not suffer due to the actions of Hamas. She stressed that collective punishment of millions of individuals is unjustifiable, even in the context of pursuing Hamas.
