Biden administration staffers called for a ceasefire in Gaza during a vigil outside of the White House.
The staffers held a banner stating, "RESIDENT BIDEN, YOUR STAFF DEMANDS A CEASEFIRE," as candles on the ground were arranged to spell out "CEASEFIRE," according to pictures from the event Wednesday.
Former State Department official Josh Paul, who resigned mid-October over his opposition to the conflict in Israel, spoke at the vigil.
"We must move with urgency to save as many lives as possible and achieve an immediate, permanent ceasefire agreement and the return of all hostages," Paul said, according to CNN.
Another former administration official, who was not identified by CNN, read a statement given to him by a group of anonymous Palestinian administration staffers.
"The US government’s decision to double down on fueling the violence has put our objectives … around the globe in jeopardy for us to achieve any movement on some of the most intractable issues we face today," the former official said.
The vigil comes as the Hamas-run Gaza Health Industry, which does not distinguish between civilian and combatant casualties, reports more than 18,800 deaths in the Gaza Strip have occurred since Oct. 7, when Hamas terrorists entered Israel and killed about 1,200 people and took 240 others captive.
Calls for a ceasefire have occurred across the United States with Democrats in particular being targeted by rambunctious demonstrations outside of the Democratic National Committee headquarters and the California Democratic Party Convention.
Related Story: United Nations General Assembly Backs Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza
