Dozens of democrats joined Jayapal to urge to Biden to prevent a full-scale Israeli assault on Rafah / Wikipedia

Indian American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, along with Congresswoman Madeleine Dean has led 55 other U.S. House Democrats, to urge President Joe Biden to withhold military aid to Israel, which is planning an offensive on Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip.

In a letter addressed to the President, Jayapal (D-Wash.), Dean (D-Pa.), and their colleagues highlighted that Rafah currently houses over a million displaced Palestinians and an offensive by Israel in the region is “wholly unacceptable."

The lawmakers commended the administration's efforts to dissuade Israel from this military operation, emphasizing the potential deepening of humanitarian and strategic challenges in the conflict.

Along w/ @RepDean & 55 members, I called on the Biden admin to enforce US law & withhold offensive aid to Israel that can be used for a Rafah assault.

We all must keep working to achieve a lasting ceasefire to save lives, return hostages, & build a path toward security for all. pic.twitter.com/RqSUzsyyxC

— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) May 1, 2024

"We now urge you to enforce U.S. law and policy by withholding certain offensive weaponry or other military support that can be used for an assault on Rafah, including the offensive weaponry and aid already signed into law," the letter reads.

The letter underscores the dire conditions in Rafah resulting from recent conflicts, noting that it has become one of the most overcrowded places globally, with many families forced to live on the streets due to insufficient shelter.

Citing Israeli strikes on Rafah, including one on Apr.20 that tragically killed 18 people, including 14 children, the lawmakers express concern over the broader impact of an offensive, asserting that it would undermine both Israeli and U.S. strategic interests, citing recent drone and missile attacks on Israeli and U.S. military bases in the region.

They warned that such an offensive could escalate the conflict, pushing the region toward broader warfare that neither Israel nor the United States can afford.

In addition to calling for the withholding of aid to Israel to protect civilians in Rafah, the Democrats advocated for continued efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire that ensures the safe return of hostages and resumes humanitarian aid, ultimately leading to a negotiated, long-term peace in the region.

The letter follows Biden's recent signing of a foreign aid package that allocated $26 billion to Israel, which received bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress. Jayapal and three dozen other Democrats opposed the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, expressing concerns over the potential impact of supplying more offensive weapons on civilian lives.

"We now urge you to enforce U.S. law and policy by withholding certain offensive weaponry or other military support that can be used for an assault on Rafah, including the offensive weaponry and aid already signed into law," the letter reads.

The letter underscores the dire conditions in Rafah resulting from recent conflicts, noting that it has become one of the most overcrowded places globally, with many families forced to live on the streets due to insufficient shelter.

Citing Israeli strikes on Rafah, including one on Apr.20 that tragically killed 18 people, including 14 children, the lawmakers express concern over the broader impact of an offensive, asserting that it would undermine both Israeli and U.S. strategic interests, citing recent drone and missile attacks on Israeli and U.S. military bases in the region.

They warned that such an offensive could escalate the conflict, pushing the region toward broader warfare that neither Israel nor the United States can afford.

In addition to calling for the withholding of aid to Israel to protect civilians in Rafah, the Democrats advocated for continued efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire that ensures the safe return of hostages and resumes humanitarian aid, ultimately leading to a negotiated, long-term peace in the region.

The letter follows Biden's recent signing of a foreign aid package that allocated $26 billion to Israel, which received bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress. Jayapal and three dozen other Democrats opposed the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, expressing concerns over the potential impact of supplying more offensive weapons on civilian lives.