WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) sent a letter to President Joe Biden asking for more information on the IDF’s use of 2,000-pound bombs in a densely populated humanitarian zone southwest of Khan Younis on September 10. Houlahan asked President Biden if the bombs were U.S.-made and, if so, if they were sent prior to the U.S. embargo on these weapons in May. She also asked for details on the Biden Administration’s efforts to encourage Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to stop using these weapons, especially in densely populated civilian areas, and urged him to have these critical conversations.  

“I have dedicated my life to national security and service and believe our nation’s values are a source of credibility and power. I know from personal experience that you cannot destroy a terror ideology with military force,” Houlahan said in the letter. 

This comes after Houlahan sent a letter in December 2023 to the Biden Administration with a group of her colleagues expressing their concern about Israel’s military strategy, and today, she shared her concern over little progress on that issue. 

In today’s letter, Houlahan said, “As this war has continued, I have seen no appreciable changes in Israel’s strategy and in fact, the civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza has continued.”  

Read Houlahan’s letter here or below.  

Dear President Biden, 

Thank you for your leadership and continued efforts both to support our ally Israel, and to bring an end to the war in Gaza. As a member of the Intelligence and Armed Services Committees, and a former member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I appreciate your commitment to finding a solution that will ensure a lasting peace and a durable two-state solution. I continue to be deeply concerned, however, by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s ongoing military strategy, including the IDF’s use of 2,000-pound bombs in a densely populated humanitarian zone southwest of Khan Younis on September 10, 2024. 

Last December, I sent you a letter alongside a group of my colleagues expressing our concern about Israel’s military strategy in this conflict, noting then that we believed it jeopardized efforts to destroy the terrorist organization Hamas and secure the release of all hostages. As this war has continued, I have seen no appreciable changes in Israel’s strategy and in fact, the civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza has continued. This recent bombing on September 10 is particularly alarming because your Administration paused the shipment of 2,000- and 500-pound bombs to Israel in May 2024 due to concerns about usage in densely populated civilian areas. Though I am thankful that your Administration has continued to withhold 2,000-pound bombs, I 

have concerns about the origins of the weapons used on the al-Mawasi humanitarian zone. 

I ask if your Administration is aware of if the 2,000 bombs used on September 10 were U.S.-made, and if so, is it your belief that these weapons were sent prior to the embargo in May? More specifically, do you know when exactly these weapons were sent? Given the continued pause on 2,000-pound bombs, has your Administration expressed your concern about the use of these weapons, especially on densely populated civilian areas, to Prime Minister Netanyahu? I encourage you to have those conversations if you haven't already and support continued embargoes of heavy bombs. 

Over the last 11 months, civilians across Gaza have been told by the Israeli government and the IDF to evacuate to al-Mawasi for safety. Hundreds of thousands occupy the 16-square mile area. I understand the difficult nature of this conflict, as Hamas is not using strategies that protect the lives of the Palestinian people. However, the use of heavy bombs on one of the only remaining humanitarian zones in Gaza with a high concentration of civilians is not in line with U.S. values and does not advance the cause of security for Israel or protect innocent civilians from catastrophic harm. 

To restate from the December letter, I have dedicated my life to national security and service and believe our nation’s values are a source of credibility and power. I know from personal experience that you cannot destroy a terror ideology with military force. 

As we reach the solemn anniversary of the horrific tragedy that took place on October 7, 2023, with more than 100 people (including Americans) still held captive by Hamas, it is past time that this war comes to an end. Hamas’ recent change in strategy calling for hostages to be executed if the IDF gets close, as we saw with the death of six hostages including American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, underscores this immediate need. 

I appreciate your steadfast efforts to secure a hostage and ceasefire deal, and your leadership in bringing both Israel and Hamas to the negotiating table. I urge you to continue doing all that you can to pressure Prime Minister Netanyahu and the leaders of Hamas to reach a deal that ensures the return of all remaining hostages and works towards a peaceful, two-state solution which allows Palestinians to be free from the terrorist organization Hamas and where Israelis can live without fear of another October 7. As a Member of Congress, I remain committed to supporting your Administration in those efforts. 

Sincerely, 

Chrissy Houlahan 

Houlahan is an Air Force veteran, an engineer, a serial entrepreneur, an educator, and a nonprofit leader. She represents Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District, which encompasses Chester County and southern Berks County. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. She is the recipient of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Abraham Lincoln Leadership for America Award which “recognizes members who demonstrate the bipartisan leadership and constructive governing necessary to move our country forward” and the Congressional Management Foundation’s 2022 Democracy Award for best Constituent Services in Congress. 

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