At least 370 USAID officials have signed the letter so far, with the identities of the signatories kept anonymous due to safety and career concerns, the report said, citing a copy of the letter.
The letter calls for the Biden administration to pursue an immediate ceasefire, the report said. The letter also urged the United States to help hold all parties, including the Israeli government, to international law by ending the "illegal occupation" of territories claimed by Palestinians, the report said.
The letter comes following the Biden administration’s increased support to Israel in the wake of a surprise attack on the country by Hamas last month. The letter does not mention the attack, the report noted.
Former USAID West Bank and Gaza mission director Dave Harden reportedly said that the letter was unlikely to influence the Biden administration’s approach to the conflict. The letter is "unpersuasive and undisciplined," Harden is quoted as having said.
The letter is not the only form of pushback from US government officials on the Biden administration’s handling of the conflict. Last month, Josh Paul, a former director at the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military affairs, left the position in protest of the US providing increased military support to Israel in the wake of Hamas’ attack.
Over 9,000 Palestinians, nearly half of whom were children, have been killed since Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza in response to the October 7 Hamas rocket attacks, according to the most recent UN update.
