Kelly, Colleagues Call on Trump to Press for Resumption of Humanitarian Aid to Gaza and Renew Hostage, Ceasefire Talks

“Since March of this year, the situation on the ground has deteriorated dramatically.”

  Today, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly joined his Senate Democratic colleagues in sending a letter to President Trump ahead of his upcoming trip to the Middle East, urging him to take an active role in pressing for the resumption of humanitarian aid and a return to ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas to ensure Israel’s security, the release of hostages, and an end to more than 15 months of devastating conflict in Gaza. 

“When you took office in January 2025, we were on a path to peace in the Israel-Gaza conflict, thanks in part to your team’s efforts during the presidential transition. A ceasefire was in effect and 30 hostages were reunited with their families,” wrote the senators. “But today, the United States is not providing critically needed leadership to drive peace forward, which is why we write to express our deep concern in advance of your upcoming travel to the Middle East.”  

Specifically, the senators asked Trump to press all parties to agree to a deal that:   

1. Secures the immediate release of all remaining hostages; 
2. Ushers in a ceasefire;
3. Works towards the creation of a security force backed by Arab partners to administer Gaza without Hamas; and
4. Creates a path toward a lasting solution that will allow the Israeli and Palestinian people to live in security, dignity, and prosperity. 

The senators ended the letter by reaffirming their commitment to Israel’s security and its right to defend itself: “It has been nearly 20 months since Hamas murdered more than 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages, including American citizens. This period has also been marked by severe humanitarian suffering of civilians in Gaza, where more than 52,000 Palestinians have been killed and millions displaced. All of us are longstanding advocates of the U.S.-Israel security partnership, and we will continue to fight for the defense of the Israeli people. That is why, today, we stand with the nearly three-quarters of the Israeli public who are fighting for the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza in exchange for a ceasefire.”  

In addition to Kelly, the letter was signed by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Jack Reed (D-RI), Mark Warner (D-VA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Edward Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).  

Click here to read the full letter.