House Democrats urge Trump to end war in Gaza

WASHINGTON

Four Democrats in the House of Representatives urged US President Donald Trump on Friday to end the war in the Gaza Strip by working to return all parties to the negotiation table.

Reps. Gregory Meeks, Rosa DeLauro, Jim Himes and Jamie Raskin sent a letter to Trump with a "deep sense of urgency and moral responsibility."

"The ongoing war in Gaza has reached a point of profound humanitarian crisis, geopolitical instability, and perilous risk for all involved.

"We urged you to use the full weight of American diplomacy to bring about an immediate, just, and durable end to the conflict," lawmakers wrote in the letter.

They said the primary military objectives of Israel’s war in Gaza "have long since been achieved."

To continue to fight threatens not only to "exacerbate" regional tensions and increase the humanitarian catastrophe, but also to undermine the long-term security of Israelis and Palestinians, they said.

"Now is the time for you to bring all relevant parties - Israel, Palestinian leaders, regional stakeholders, alongside the United States and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff - back to the negotiating table without delay," said the lawmakers.

They also urged Trump to make a permanent ceasefire a "core objective" of his diplomatic efforts.

"Gaza must be returned to Palestinian civilian control without Hamas, and any plans for the forcible displacement of Palestinians from Gaza must be rejected," they added.