Senate Democrats meet with IDF officials to discuss Israel-Hamas war

A group of Senate Democrats met with senior-level Israel Defense Forces officials on Monday evening in the Capitol to discuss the Israel-Hamas war and concerns of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

WASHINGTON — A group of Senate Democrats met with senior-level Israel Defense Forces officials Monday evening in the Capitol to discuss the Israel-Hamas war and concerns about a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

At least 10 senators attended the meeting, which Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, described as “extremely frank.”

"We just want to be assured that they are abiding by American values as they try to dismantle Hamas, and we all conveyed that collectively and clearly," Schatz told reporters. "I do believe they heard us, but obviously we have a long way to go.”

The meeting was not classified, but senators kept the details of the discussion private. The IDF officials did not comment when reporters approached then after the meeting.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., arranged the meeting, which lasted about two hours and came as a growing number of Senate Democrats have raised concerns over the civilian casualties and property destruction in Gaza as a result of Israel's military campaign against Hamas.