1. United States
2. Va.
3. Letter

I'm writing to share with you a heartbreaking story from Gaza, one that highlights the devastating consequences of war on innocent civilians. The story of the Hamidi family, as reported by Mondoweiss (https://mondoweiss.net/2025/03/a-child-in-gaza-watched-his-mother-burn-alive-then-he-died-too/), is a tragic reminder of the human cost of conflict and the need for urgent action to protect civilians. On Tuesday night, brothers Muhammad and Ibrahim Hamidi decided to flee their home in the Qarara area east of Khan Younis, seeking safety in the Mawasi area, a coastal stretch of land that had been designated as a "safe zone" throughout the war. However, the brothers' quest for safety was short-lived. In the middle of the night, Muhammad heard the sound of bombing and rushed to help those affected. What he found was unimaginable horror. His brother Ibrahim lay on the ground, covered in blood, while his wife and one-year-old son were engulfed in flames. Ibrahim’s other son, just three years old, was injured and helpless, watching his mother and little brother burn alive. Later, the child’s brother would also succumb to his burns. The story is even more heartbreaking when considering that Muhammad's sister-in-law was pregnant at the time, carrying a fetus that was also lost in the attack. The loss of three innocent lives, including an unborn child, is a tragedy that should not be ignored. The bombing of the Mawasi area, designated as a "safe zone," is a clear violation of international humanitarian law. The Geneva Conventions explicitly prohibit attacks on civilians and civilian objects, including safe zones and humanitarian corridors. The International Committee of the Red Cross has condemned such actions as "serious violations of international humanitarian law." Furthermore, the principles of distinction and proportionality, fundamental to international humanitarian law, were blatantly disregarded in this attack. The bombing of a safe zone, where civilians had sought refuge, demonstrates a shocking disregard for human life and international law. Most urgently, I request that you cosponsor legislation to impose a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel. This crucial step would prevent the sale or transfer of military equipment and technology that could be used to commit further human rights abuses. By taking this action, we can help prevent more tragedies like the one experienced by the Hamidi family and promote accountability for those responsible. The story of the Hamidi family is a powerful reminder of the human cost of war and the need for accountability. I urge you to take action to ensure that such tragedies are not repeated and that those responsible are held accountable. Thank you for your time and consideration.