A group of 45 American doctors and nurses, who recently volunteered in Gaza hospitals, have addressed a passionate open letter to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, urging for an immediate ceasefire and arms embargo.
In their letter, the medical professionals recounted their harrowing experiences, emphasizing the grievous injuries sustained by children. “Every one of us treated pre-teen children shot in the head and chest on a daily basis,” they reported.
They also shared the psychological toll of their experiences, stating, “We wish you could see the nightmares that plague so many of us since we have returned: dreams of children maimed and mutilated by our weapons, and their inconsolable mothers begging us to save them. We wish you could hear the cries and screams our consciences will not let us forget.”
With backgrounds in public health and previous volunteer work in conflict zones like Ukraine and Iraq, the signatories stressed their qualifications to comment on the humanitarian impact of the conflict. “We are well positioned to comment on the massive human toll from Israel’s attack on Gaza, especially the toll it has taken on women and children,” the letter reads, as posted on X by Dr. Feroze Sidwa, who led the initiative.
The letter calls on the Biden administration to enforce an arms embargo on both Israel and Palestinian armed groups and to suspend military, diplomatic, and economic support to Israel until a permanent ceasefire is established. CNN has contacted the White House for a response.
This appeal comes as the White House is pressing for a ceasefire agreement, with President Biden meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following his address to the US Congress. Sources indicate that Biden is expected to push strongly for a resolution.
“We believe our government is obligated to do this, both under American law and International Humanitarian Law, and that it is the right thing to do,” the letter concluded.
