Bernie Sanders: US 'must urge an immediate ceasefire'

Top progressive US Senator Bernie Sanders has called on Washington to "urge an immediate ceasefire" in Gaza, suggesting that the United States should revise its military assistance to Israel to ensure that it is not supporting human rights violations.

The devastation in Gaza is unconscionable. We must urge an immediate ceasefire. The killing of Palestinians and Israelis must end. We must also take a hard look at nearly $4 billion a year in military aid to Israel. It is illegal for U.S. aid to support human rights violations.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) May 16, 2021

Chris Murphy, another Senate Democrat, also called for a ceasefire.

"The mounting civilian death toll, disproportionately affecting Gaza, does nothing to promote short or long term peace. Both sides need to agree to a ceasefire," Murphy wrote in a tweet on Sunday.

President Joe Biden's administration has been urging de-escalation while supporting what it calls "Israel's right to defend itself" without calling for a ceasefire.

At least 192 Palestinians, including 58 children, have been killed in air strikes since Israel started its heavy bombardment on Monday.