Fetterman calls situation in Gaza ‘heartbreaking,’ defends his support of Israel

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) described the humanitarian situation as “heartbreaking,” while arguing only Hamas is able to end the war with Israel.

Fetterman, a steadfast supporter of Israel, told USA Today in an interview published Wednesday that the situation in Gaza is “worse than horrible, it’s heartbreaking” and said the responsibility lies on Hamas to surrender and return the hostages.

“They started this,” Fetterman said, in reference to Hamas. “They have designed this to maximize the kinds of destruction and death. They hide behind places like hospitals and civilians and schools and refugee camps. That’s how it’s been designed.”

The Pennsylvania Democrat was responding to criticism accusing him of lacking empathy for the people of Gaza, where more than 34,700 Palestinians have been killed since early October, according to local health officials.

His comments come days after Hamas said it accepted a temporary cease-fire deal that would pause fighting in Gaza and secure the release of the remaining Israeli hostages being held in Gaza. Israel said the group’s terms fell short of its core demands.

Fetterman, who is serving his first term in the Senate, has been a steadfast supporter of Israel since Hamas’s Oct. 7 attacks, often breaking with liberal Democrats over Israel’s handling of the war.

Speaking with USA Today, Fetterman continued his criticism of the pro-Palestinian protests at colleges across the country, pointing to fears from Jewish students.

“And now it must be incredibly unnerving and terrifying if you are a Jewish student, when you have all of these things,” he said. “I’m sure they might feel like — why don’t they have our back?”

Many of the demonstrations have been reported to be peaceful, though school administrators said they have received concerns over the safety of Jewish students and the potential for antisemitic rhetoric.

His remarks were published a day after Israeli forces seized control of the Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza, where more than 1 million civilians are seeking refuge.

Asked in an interview Tuesday with Fox News if he supports Israel going into Rafah, Fetterman said, “Well, I follow Israel on that. I mean, they would know the situation more than I do.”

“And I’m always trying to center this to people, where it’s like Hamas could … Well, they started this,” Fetterman continued Tuesday. “They did these kinds of terrible things. And this could end right now if they send all those hostages back home, and they could surrender … but they clearly don’t care about all the Palestinians’ death and chaos and damage.”

The Biden administration and other Western leaders tried to sway Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu away from a full-scale invasion in recent weeks, arguing it would risk civilian lives and the delivery of crucial aid.

White House national security communications adviser John Kirby told reporters Tuesday the U.S. is closely monitoring Israel’s actions in Rafah, while noting they did not rise to the level of a full-scale military operation U.S. officials warned against. 

Netanyahu has maintained military operations in Rafah will increase pressure on Hamas, which has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007.