The Senate’s No. 2 Democrat has become the party’s highest-ranking member to call for an immediate cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.
Senate Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin responded affirmatively when asked Thursday on CNN whether he thought a cease-fire was needed now.
“I think it is,” the Illinois Democrat said. “At least under — in the context of both sides agreeing. For example, the release of those who have been kidnapped should be a part of this. Immediate release. That should be the beginning of it. An effort should be made to engage in conversation between the Israelis and the Palestinians.”
Just a day earlier, President Biden said that a “pause” was needed to “get the prisoners out” after a heckler interrupted him at a campaign reception in Minnesota.
Since the surprise attack on Israel by the terrorist group Hamas on Oct. 7, the White House has been against a cease-fire, saying it would only benefit Hamas.
Members of Congress’ far-left “Squad” have called for an immediate cease-fire, but their calls had mostly been met with criticism.
When asked Thursday whether he has spoken with Mr. Biden about a cease-fire, and about the president’s non-use of the word, Mr. Durbin said the conditions he mentioned must be met for a cease-fire to happen.
“Well, I believe that what I said earlier about cease-fires under circumstances, for example, the release of those who have been kidnapped as part of it, an indication that this is a good-faith effort on the part of the other side,” he said.
“But, no, I have not communicated with the White House on that.”
Mr. Durbin’s comment comes after an interview of Hamas official Ghazi Hamad was translated and shared Wednesday, where he said that the terrorist group will repeat the Oct. 7 attack, which they refer to as Operation al-Aqsa Flood, “again and again” until Israel is destroyed.
“The al-Aqsa Flood is just the first time and there will be a second, a third, a fourth because we have the determination, the resolve and the capabilities to fight,” Mr. Hamad, a member of the group’s political bureau, said in a Lebanese television interview on Oct. 24.
It’s been almost a month since the surprise attack that killed more than 1,400 civilians in Israel. Hamas officials say the Palestinian death toll has reached over 9,000.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
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