Sen. Bernie Sanders calls for 'restraint from Israeli forces attacking Gaza'

Leftist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has issued a statement calling for "restraint" from Israel's forces attacking Gaza.

"Israel's blanket denial of food, water, and other necessities to Gaza is a serious violation of international law and will do nothing but harm innocent civilians," Sanders said in the statement.

"The United States has rightly offered solidarity and support to Israel in responding to Hamas’ attack. But we must also insist on restraint from Israeli forces attacking Gaza and work to secure UN humanitarian access. Let us not forget that half of the two million people in Gaza are children. Children and innocent people do not deserve to be punished for the acts of Hamas," Sanders declared.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said, "Hamas will understand that by attacking us, they've made a mistake of historic proportions. We will exact a price that will be remembered by them and Israel's other enemies for decades to come."

According to Netanyahu, the atrocities have included kidnappings, "families wiped out in their beds," and women being "brutally raped" and killed. "Hamas terrorists bound, burned, and executed children. They are savages," he has said.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Wednesday that so far, it is known that 22 Americans are dead.

Other Americans are stuck in Israel, including Blaze Media employee Ashton DeGroot's husband and brother-in-law.

GOP Rep. Cory Mills of Florida has helped some Americans evacuate from the Jewish State.

"For years, people of good will throughout the world, including some brave Israelis, have struggled against the blockade of Gaza, the daily humiliations of occupation in the West Bank, and the horrendous living conditions faced by so many Palestinians," Sanders said in his statement. "For many, it is no secret that Gaza has been an open-air prison, with millions of people struggling to secure basic necessities. Hamas' terrorism will make it much more difficult to address that tragic reality and will embolden extremists on both sides, continuing the cycle of violence."

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