Sherrill Presses Department of Defense to Immediately Address Looming Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Washington, D.C. – Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) — member of the House Armed Services Committee, former U.S. Naval officer, and veteran of the Global War on Terror — pressed Department of Defense leadership about the impending humanitarian crisis in Gaza, what more can be done to ensure aid is reaching civilians immediately, and how the United States can ensure Israel does not carry out Netanyahu’s stated plan for a full-scale invasion of Rafah. The Congresswoman has continued to call for a negotiated ceasefire to secure safe release of hostages, protect innocent civilians in Gaza, and prevent a ground operation in Rafah that would kill more civilians, jeopardize the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and risk further international isolation of Israel.
Her advocacy comes in support of President Biden’s new directive that the United States certify that foreign governments are abiding by international human rights laws before receiving any American military funding or weapons assistance.
“As we’re looking at the traditional requirements that the United States has outlined in the recently signed National Security Memorandum 20, the Memorandum reiterates that the Secretary of State must assess the assurances that human rights and humanitarian laws are being upheld by a recipient of US defense articles and services. As Israel continues its fight to uproot and destroy the Hamas terror network, we’ve seen unacceptable casualty rates of civilians, including children, and now a looming humanitarian crisis and risk of famine,” said Rep. Sherrill. “The National Security Memorandum 20 requires assurances to include that the recipient country will facilitate the transport and delivery of U.S. humanitarian assistance and U.S. Government-supported Intergovernmental efforts. Not deny, not restrict, and not impede.”
Watch the Congresswoman’s full questioning here.
In February 2024, Representative Sherrill represented the United States on an official Congressional Delegation to Egypt, including the Rafah crossing, Jordan, and Israel. In Egypt and Jordan, she received briefings from top security officials and discussed how both countries are supporting humanitarian efforts for Palestinians. At the Rafah crossing, she saw firsthand the need for substantially more aid trucks to reach innocent Palestinians in Gaza. This comes as new reports show that famine is imminent and 70 percent of the population in Gaza are suffering catastrophic levels of hunger.
Her final stop was in Israel, where she met with leaders and urged them to pursue a negotiated ceasefire that safely returns all of the hostages held by Hamas, protects innocent civilians in Gaza, and paves the way for a two-state solution that secures a better future for both Israelis and Palestinians. Previously, Sherrill – along with other national security leaders in Congress – sent a letter to President Biden urging the Administration to use its leverage to achieve a shift in Israel’s military strategy, arguing that the civilian death toll was unacceptable and the offensive was not in line with U.S. interests. You can read the letter here.
Congresswoman Sherrill is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and served in the Navy for almost 10 years as a helicopter pilot and Russian policy officer. As a Russian policy officer, she worked on implementing our nuclear treaty obligations and oversaw the relationship between the US Navy and Russian Federation Navy. She now serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the new House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
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