Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders Express Concerns Over Ceasefire Credit

Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has found it challenging to acknowledge the ceasefire in Gaza while characterizing former President Donald Trump as a “barrier to peace.”

During a town hall with CNN’s Caitlan Collins, Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) were asked whether Trump should receive credit for achieving a ceasefire and a hostage exchange.

When questioned if Trump should be credited for the hostages’ return, she replied, “In this particular development, yes. But we also know that President Trump has been an obstacle to peace before.”

“There may be announcements about a ceasefire, but Gaza is flattened,” Ocasio-Cortez remarked. “Tens of thousands of people died, universities were obliterated, and hospitals were evacuated by American bombs.”

“The United States has played a role in all this destruction. [Israeli Prime Minister] Benjamin Netanyahu is turning a blind eye because he sees them as allies,” she continued.

Ocasio-Cortez expressed doubt regarding the durability of the ceasefire, stating, “I pray that it will. But I think we’ll have to wait and see whether it will hold. We haven’t always been consistent with these agreements, so we need to ensure the terms are upheld.”

Meanwhile, Sanders responded to Trump’s claims of securing a ceasefire with frustration over the discussion about credit.

“The entire infrastructure of Gaza, including hospitals, schools, and sanitation facilities, was destroyed during the Trump administration. We gave $22 billion to Netanyahu’s government, and they’ve been starving children for weeks,” Sanders noted.

“Gaza has a population of 2.2 million. In the last two years, 160,000 people have been injured and 65,000 have died, mostly women, children, and the elderly,” he added. “That’s a significant portion of the population.”

“Now is not the time to debate honor. It’s time to consider American policy. Are we satisfied giving tens of billions to destroy the Palestinian people? Israel had the right to defend itself against attacks from a terrorist group, but they should not wage an all-out war on civilians,” Sanders concluded.

Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders’ remarks come as Trump pushes both parties to adhere to the ceasefire terms, which is now entering its second phase following the hostage release.