By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON (AA) - Secretary of State Antony Blinken was repeatedly interrupted during congressional testimony Tuesday by protesters demanding the Biden administration act to bring an immediate cease-fire to the besieged Gaza Strip.
Blinken sat silently as protesters demanding a halt to the ongoing hostilities repeatedly interrupted him as he testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee. The first shouted "Cease-fire now!" and "Save the children of Gaza!"
"Palestinians aren't animals!" another demonstrator shouted while others said, "Let Gaza live!"
Gaza's death toll has soared to 8,525 amid relentless retaliatory Israeli bombardment, including 3,542 children and 2,187 women, while 21,543 other people have been injured, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.
Israel began its offensive in Gaza following Hamas's shocking Oct. 7 attack that killed over 1,400 Israelis.
In addition to air raids, and a ground offensive, Israel has imposed a "full siege" on Gaza that has greatly stunted humanitarian assistance from flowing into the coastal enclave where resources of food, water and fuel have been rapidly depleted.
More than 1 million people have been displaced.
After being able to continue his testimony, Blinken said humanitarian aid must be allowed to enter Gaza, and "civilians must be able to stay out of harm's way," which he said has been complicated by Hamas's use of "civilians as human shields."
"Humanitarian pauses must be considered. Helping prevent a worsening humanitarian catastrophe aligns with our nation's most deeply held principles, including our belief that every civilian life is equally valuable, equally worthy of protection. Without swift and sustained humanitarian relief, the conflict is much more likely to spread," he added.
Testifying alongside Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he has "repeatedly made clear to Israel's leaders that protecting civilians in Gaza is both a moral responsibility and a strategic imperative."