U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders attacked Israel's policy during a speech to members of Congress regarding the U.S. aid package, and called on the White House to intervene immediately for a humanitarian cease-fire. Sanders condemned Hamas and called the regime a "nightmare," but claimed that the Israeli occupation and the policies of the Netanyahu government led to the conditions that created the October 7 attack. "Israel has no right to bomb an entire neighborhood to eliminate one Hamas official, but that is what it is doing. Just as we want justice for Israelis murdered by Hamas, we want justice for the Palestinians, who need a state. The first step should be to stop the bombings and deliver as much humanitarian aid as possible to Gaza." (Daniel Edelson, New York)