WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – At a meeting of the United Nations Security Council, Humanitarian Reconstruction Coordinator Sigrid Kaag explained one million people have been displaced from Rafah since May of this year.
Kaag explained the U.N. has seen water shortages, food insecurity and collapsed schools in that region.
“The International Community Secretary General has been asking early on for a ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages,” Kaag said.
The United States representative to the United Nations Security Council said on Tuesday Hamas has ignored calls for a ceasefire and for the release of hostages.
Because of the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza last month, nearly 70 congressional Democrats called on the Biden administration to expand refugee status for Palestinians.
“We’re talking about children and infants and grandparents who are living in horrific conditions, whose family members are U.S. citizens,” said Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas.).
Casar led the effort to send the letter in the House. It asked the Biden administration to issue a “Priority-2” designation for certain Palestinians. The White House has not said whether it is considering the move.
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas.), the Chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, said he doesn’t think the Priority-2 designation should apply for people living in Palestine. The designation was issued for Afghans who supported U.S. efforts in that country, according to the State Department website.
“I don’t think, legally, it’s the right way forward,” McCaul said. “It’s not like they worked with the United States in any way.”
Kaag emphasized the best way to support people living in Gaza is an immediate ceasefire.
