The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas collapsed this week as the Israeli government resumed its major attacks on Gaza.
Hundreds of Palestinians were killed, including many children. As the bombing resumed, the Israeli government continued to cut off all aid. It threatened the people of Gaza with “complete destruction and devastation” if all Israeli hostages are not released and Hamas is not eliminated.
As the Gaza war resumes, so too has violence across the region. Last weekend, the Trump administration began carrying out major, unauthorized U.S. airstrikes in Yemen, killing dozens of civilians and destroying critical infrastructure.
This disastrous course deepens U.S. complicity in mass atrocities against Palestinians while endangering U.S. service members, Israelis, and millions of people across the region.
As FCNL’s Hassan El-Tayyab warned, these continued cycles of violence “will only deepen the suffering of both Palestinians and Israelis. It will lead to instability across the Middle East that affects us all.”
But as the first phase of the ceasefire showed, a different and better path is possible.
“The collapse of the Gaza ceasefire is a tragic setback for peace, but it is not too late to reverse course,” Hassan wrote.
The pause in fighting offered a meaningful reprieve for civilians suffering in Gaza. Israelis and Palestinians held captive were returned to their loved ones. Tensions in the Red Sea and across the region relaxed.
With this progress now halted, Congress must demand a return to diplomacy and full aid access to Gaza.
We are urging lawmakers to halt offensive weapons to Israel and restore U.S. support for UNRWA’s vital humanitarian work in Gaza.
Our voices are especially critical this time, particularly as the Trump administration targets student advocates and seeks to silence dissent. We hope you will persist with us as we continue to advocate for an enduring peace and a better, just future for all.
Elsewhere
Trump Invokes War Authority in Deports Migrants to El Salvador
Last weekend, President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act against alleged members of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang. He abused this authority to deport hundreds of Venezuelan migrants, with no due process or opportunity to defend themselves, to a notorious prison in El Salvador. At least one these men has no affiliation to any gang and is an asylum seeker, according to attorneys representing him. A judge ordered the deportations to stop but the administration ignored him.
The Alien Enemies Act is a shameful law, last used to detain Japanese, Italian, and German nationals during World War II. It is only applicable during a war, but the United States is not at war with Venezuela.
FCNL’s Bridget Moix framed it this way:
“Rounding up immigrants and migrants based of nothing but their country of origin for middle-of-the-night deportation flights flies in the face of morality, let alone a humane and orderly immigration policy.”
Trump Administration Forcibly Takes Over U.S. Institute of Peace
This week, the Trump administration used private security and local police to illegally take over the U.S. Institute of Peace. It is an independent agency devoted to resolving violent conflict internationally. This is another example of the Trump administration attacking peace directly and exceeding its authority. Already, the government has dismantled USAID and the Department of Education.
Thank Members of Congress for Defending Foreign Aid
Many of you have already written your members of Congress and many of them have already spoken out in defense of foreign aid. It is important to thank legislators to show them how much it matters to you. If the people who represent you have spoken out, thank them! (If not, encourage them!)
Spring Lobby Weekend this Weekend!
We are excited! Over 300 young adults are coming to Washington, D.C. tomorrow. They are spending the next four days learning and lobbying their members of Congress to protect Medicaid and SNAP from budget cuts.
