Senator Van Hollen Urges Immediate Action to End Gaza Blockade

Washington, D.C. — Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat from Maryland, has called for an immediate end to Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip, stating that the humanitarian crisis there has reached alarming levels. Speaking on CBS’s Face the Nation on May 18, 2025, Van Hollen highlighted the severe food shortages affecting two million Palestinians, especially children.

Van Hollen remarked, “It’s very hard to look at those pictures” of starving children, adding that the United States is “complicit” in this “gross violation of international law.” He criticized former President Trump for his inaction during his recent visit to the region, saying Trump did not address the dire situation in Gaza.

The situation in Gaza has worsened as Israel continued its military operations and maintained a full blockade, now in its 77th day. The senator stated, “This is collective punishment that is clearly illegal,” referring to the ongoing lack of food and essential supplies.

Amidst the suffering, the Trump administration has signaled the launch of a U.S.-backed initiative named the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. This plan aims to deliver aid to Palestinians using private security firms, but it has faced criticism from multiple organizations, including the United Nations. Deputy UN spokesperson Farhan Haq expressed that the plan does not align with fundamental humanitarian principles.

World leaders, including those from Iceland and Spain, have also urged Israel to lift the blockade. They called for safe and rapid humanitarian access to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian population. A joint statement emphasized the urgent need for delivery of aid by international humanitarian actors.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, has stressed that immediate access to food and medical supplies is critical to prevent further deterioration in Gaza. He stated, “People are already starving, sick, and dying.”

Van Hollen, reflecting on the assistance needed, urged that the U.S. government should call on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to allow aid into Gaza. He said, “Let’s just start with that,” referring to Trump’s acknowledgment of the starvation crisis during a recent statement.

The humanitarian situation has become dire since Israel began restricting supplies on March 2, 2025, following the collapse of a ceasefire with Hamas. Reports indicate that over 53,200 people have died in Gaza since October 2023, many of them women and children.