US Lawmakers Divided Over Israel-Hamas Ceasefire After Hostages Found Dead

US Lawmakers React to Israel-Hamas War Hostage Deaths

The discovery of six hostages killed in a Gaza tunnel has sparked renewed calls for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war from US Democratic lawmakers, while Republicans are criticising President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for what they perceive as weak support for Israel.

Hostage Deaths Intensify Ceasefire Debate

On Sunday, Israel recovered the bodies of six hostages, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, from a tunnel in Gaza.

These hostages were killed just before Israeli troops reached them, leading to widespread protests in Israel and planned strikes over the failure to save them.

The military confirmed that the bodies of Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Ori Danino were also recovered and returned to Israel.

The deaths have intensified the debate in the US over the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, with Democratic lawmakers urging an immediate ceasefire.

Senator Dick Durbin expressed his sorrow, stating, “A ceasefire must be reached immediately that allows all remaining hostages to be released, humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza, and an elusive and neglected long-term vision for peace and stability to become a reality.”

Republican Criticism of Biden-Harris Administration

While Democrats push for a ceasefire, Republican lawmakers have focused their criticism on the Biden-Harris administration.

They argue that calls for a ceasefire only embolden Hamas. Senator Tom Cotton said, “They continue to encourage and embolden Hamas with calls for a ceasefire.”

READ ALSO: Gaza War: Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Talks End In Stalemate

Cotton added that the Biden administration should have supported Israel more robustly from the beginning. “I would urge [Prime Minister Netanyahu] to finish the job against Hamas, which is exactly what Kamala Harris and Joe Biden should have done from the very beginning,” Cotton stated.

Biden Administration Responds

The White House released a statement on Saturday night condemning Hamas for the deaths of the hostages but stopped short of calling for a ceasefire.

Vice President Kamala Harris said, “Hamas is an evil terrorist organization. With these murders, Hamas has even more American blood on its hands. I strongly condemn Hamas’ continued brutality, and so must the entire world.”

Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, also spoke with Goldberg-Polin’s parents to express their condolences. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Harris reiterated her condemnation of Hamas and expressed sympathy for the Goldberg-Polin family.

Pressure on Iran and Calls for Accountability

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham added another dimension to the debate, calling for increased pressure on Iran, Hamas’ main sponsor.

“The Biden administration and Israel should hold Iran accountable for the fate of remaining hostages and put on the target list oil refineries in Iran if the hostages are not released,” Graham said on ABC’s This Week.

As the Israel-Hamas war continues, the US remains divided on the best approach, with Democrats advocating for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid, while Republicans push for stronger support for Israel and increased pressure on Hamas and its allies.

The deaths of the six hostages have only deepened this divide, leaving the path forward uncertain.