Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), the second-highest ranking Democrat in the Senate, detailed his support for a ceasefire in the Israel–Hamas conflict contingent upon the release of all hostages.
The comments from Durbin, seemingly the first senator to back such a measure, demonstrate a divergence from the Biden administration, which has come out against a ceasefire but in favor of temporary humanitarian pauses in the fighting.
BIDEN HECKLED BY RABBI CALLING FOR GAZA CEASEFIRE DURING CAMPAIGN STOP
“I think it is,” he said during a Thursday morning interview on CNN when asked whether it was time for a ceasefire. “At least under — in the context of both sides agreeing. For example, the release of those who have been kidnapped should be a part of this. Immediate release. That should be the beginning of it. An effort should be made to engage in conversation between the Israelis and the Palestinians.”
Democrat Senator Dick Durbin calls for a “ceasefire” in Israel — the day after a spokesman for Hamas said they will commit terrorist attacks “again and again” until Israel is annihilated pic.twitter.com/Ago2SyuBcq
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President Joe Biden, a day earlier, said a “pause” in fighting was needed to “get the prisoners out” in response to a heckler who interrupted him.
Administration officials have said a ceasefire would allow Hamas time to regroup and launch additional attacks. Hamas carried out an unprecedented terrorist attack on Oct. 7 in Israel that killed roughly 1,400 Israelis, the vast majority of whom were civilians.
“We do not believe that a ceasefire is the right answer right now. We believe that a ceasefire right now benefits Hamas, and Hamas is the only one that would gain. … What we have said is temporary localized humanitarian pauses,” National Security Council coordinator John Kirby said on Monday.
Israel declared war on Hamas following the attacks. Israeli forces have carried out a significant aerial campaign in Gaza, conducting thousands of airstrikes that have destroyed Gaza’s infrastructure. Thousands of Palestinians have been killed since Oct. 7, though it’s unclear how many were civilians and how many were combatants. The strikes and worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza have prompted calls for a ceasefire.
“Well, believe me, what I said earlier about ceasefire under the circumstances, for example, the release of those who have been kidnapped as part of it, [is] an indication this is a good faith effort on the part of the other side,” Durbin added. “But, no, I have not communicated with the White House on that.”
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Hamas has a significant tunnel structure built underneath densely populated parts of Gaza. The tunnels, which are similar to a metro system, have allowed Hamas fighters to hide from Israeli airstrikes and move freely to hide weapons caches and other goods. Israel is seeking to destroy the tunnels, though there are significant challenges to that type of operation.
Israel struck a portion of the tunnel infrastructure on Tuesday and collapsed the tunnel, killing dozens of terrorists, according to Israeli military officials. There was outrage from Middle Eastern countries due to the civilian casualties that occurred because it happened in a densely populated area of northern Gaza.
