Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Ceasefire in Gaza
I share the fervent hope of people around the world that the ceasefire in Gaza holds. The extent of the destruction is hard to fathom. In addition to more than 1800 killed and many more wounded, thousands of homes, businesses and public facilities have been reduced to rubble. I have been dismayed by the repeated shelling of United Nations facilities where large numbers of civilians, including women and children, were known to have sought safety. This can never be justified.
As in the past after violent clashes in Gaza, the international community will have to provide much of the aid to rebuild. This must be the last time.
It is imperative that the international community use the full extent of its diplomatic influence to ensure that Israel, Hamas, and the Palestinian Authority address the underlying causes of this catastrophe. That means security for the Israeli people from rockets and mortars launched from Gaza, sometimes with launchers purposely placed in civilian neighborhoods. It means ending the blockade of legitimate goods into Gaza that has caused severe hardship for the civilian population there, and provided an excuse for Hamas’ tunnels and attacks against Israel. It means security arrangements that prevent further tunnels and attacks.
http://www.leahy.senate.gov/press/statement-of-senator-patrick-leahy-on-the-ceasefire-in-gaza`