SAFA- U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders said Sunday that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues despite the announcement of a ceasefire more than nine months ago, urging Congress to halt military aid to Israel and increase pressure to end the suffering of Palestinians.

In a statement, Sanders said international attention on Gaza has declined, but conditions across the Gaza Strip continue to deteriorate. He cited figures indicating that 92% of housing units have been damaged or destroyed, 70% of the population lacks adequate housing and is living in makeshift shelters, 86% of agricultural water wells have been damaged, and 90% of Gaza's energy infrastructure has been destroyed.

He also highlighted the impact on children, saying 91% of school-age children lack sustained access to in-person education, while 93% of school buildings require major reconstruction or rehabilitation. 

Seventy percent of infants and children under two experience moderate to severe food insecurity, according to Sanders. He said more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed and about 173,000 injured since the start of the Israeli genocide in Gaza, describing the victims as predominantly women, children, and older people. He added that much of the Strip's infrastructure has been destroyed.

The senator said Israel now controls an estimated 70% of Gaza, beyond the terms of the ceasefire, and has established dozens of military outposts across the territory since the agreement took effect. He added that at least 1,150 Palestinians have been killed during that period, including six members of the same family last week.

Sanders also criticized recent statements by members of the Israeli government, saying some ministers had joined thousands of settlers near the Gaza border to call for the establishment of new settlements in the territory. He cited Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir as saying, "Gaza is ours."

The senator said the United States is complicit through its continued military support for Israel, stating that Washington has provided tens of billions of dollars in military assistance despite repeated violations of international law.

Increasing numbers of Americans across the political spectrum, said Sanders, are calling for an end to U.S. military aid to Israel and are pushing Washington to use its clout to help end Palestinian suffering.

Sanders declared, "Enough is enough." "Congress must listen to the American people. No more U.S. military aid to Israel."