Hi,

Israel warned Palestinians to flee southern Gaza this morning after a
night of intense bombing in preparation for a full-scale ground invasion
of Rafah, the tiny enclave at the southern tip of Gaza where more than 1.2
million displaced people have huddled for safety.^1

The World Health Organization warns that a full-scale assault of Rafah
would be a "bloodbath" for civilians and aid workers who have nowhere else
to go, and Israel's evacuation order is creating a "truly unspeakable
humanitarian catastrophe" given the lack of safe spaces and humanitarian
aid elsewhere in Gaza.^2,3

This is exactly what President Biden has urged Prime Minister Netanyahu
not to do — even calling it a "red line."^4

Now it's time for President Biden to use his leverage to stop this
disaster. Two weeks ago, Congress authorized $17.5 billion in new military
aid to Israel. But President Biden has the authority to withhold offensive
weapons in order to force Netanyahu to call off the attack — and 57 House
Democrats just demanded that he do just that.^5

We've mobilized tens of thousands of people to call for an immediate and
permanent ceasefire, and now we must ramp up the volume to prevent further
devastation.

[ [link removed] ]Will you donate $10 to support our work, including urging
President Biden use his leverage to prevent a ground invasion of Rafah and
demand a ceasefire?

[ [link removed] ]Donate $10

[ [link removed] ]Donate $20

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Rafah was once declared a "safe zone" for those fleeing Israel's initial
assault in response to the October 7 attack.

But now, with more than 34,000 dead, famine breaking out, and the entire
health care infrastructure in shambles, a ground invasion of Rafah would
unleash what the U.N. head of humanitarian affairs called "a tragedy
beyond words."^6

Unfortunately, the U.S. news media has largely abandoned coverage of Gaza,
distracted by campus protests and Donald Trump's trial.

It's critical at this moment to refocus public attention on the
unbelievable human suffering in Gaza and push for an immediate and
permanent ceasefire.

Make no mistake: President Biden has leverage to demand Prime Minister
Netanyahu call off his plans for a full-scale ground invasion by
withholding the billions in military aid authorized by Congress. It's up
to us to make sure he knows the public wants peace.

[ [link removed] ]Donate $10 to support our work, including urging President
Biden use his leverage to prevent a ground invasion of Rafah and demand a
ceasefire.

With gratitude for all that you do,

The team at Demand Progress Action

[ [link removed] ]DONATE

Sources:
1. CNN, "Israel tells Gazans in parts of eastern Rafah to evacuate,"
[ [link removed] ]May 3, 2024.
2. World Health Organization, "Rafah incursion would substantially
increase mortality and morbidity and further weaken an already broken
health system," [ [link removed] ]May 3, 2024.
3. Al Jazeera, "'A truly unspeakable humanitarian catastrophe,'" [ [link removed] ]March
6, 2024.
4. Politico, "Biden warns of ‘red line’ for Israel over Rafah," [ [link removed] ]March
10, 2024.
5. Reuters, "US Democrats press Biden to prevent Israeli assault on
Rafah," [ [link removed] ]May 1, 2024.
6. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, "UN
relief chief: A ground operation in Rafah will be nothing short of a
tragedy beyond words," [ [link removed] ]April 30, 2024.
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