U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin calls for 'resumption of humanitarian cease fire' in Gaza

Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin called for the "resumption of a humanitarian cease fire" in Gaza as fighting escalated Thursday in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

Baldwin has faced pressure from some on the left due to the mounting civilian death toll in Gaza. She has supported Israel's right to defend itself following Oct. 7 terror attacks that left some 1,200 dead and 240 others taken hostage, while also pressing for assistance for civilians in war-torn Gaza.

Israel and Hamas paused fighting for a week in late November, leading to a release of 105 hostages in Gaza and 240 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Fighting resumed December 1.

"Hamas’s October 7th terrorist massacre has led to unbearable suffering in Israel, Gaza, and around the world," Baldwin said in a statement issued by her office. "As I have said before, I support Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas, bring hostages back home, and end the terrorist organization’s threat − but it does not have the right to go to war against innocent Palestinian people. Eliminating the threat posed by Hamas and protecting civilians are not mutually exclusive aims."

Baldwin criticized the the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claiming its "indiscriminate bombing and military approach has led to unacceptable bloodshed in Gaza and does not appear to be moving us closer to our ultimate goals of removing Hamas from power and achieving a lasting peace in the region through a two-state solution.

"Preservation of innocent lives and civilian infrastructure is not just morally right, but also necessary to accomplish security, stability, and peace in the region moving forward," Baldwin said.

Baldwin's office said she supports a cease fire "that ensures the unconditional release of all hostages and full humanitarian access to Gaza, agreed to by both Israel and Hamas."

As part of such a cease fire, Baldwin called for Hamas to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to have access to those held, while the United States and Israel work to secure their release.

She backed increased humanitarian aid, including from the United States, to flow into Gaza while sick and wounded civilians would have access to prompt medical attention. She also supported ensuring no Palestinians are forcibly removed from Gaza.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Baldwin calls for 'resumption of humanitarian cease fire' in Gaza