In a recent interview with CNN's Jake Tapper, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stood by her assertion that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Ocasio-Cortez argued that the humanitarian situation in the region has reached a point where the intent to harm the population cannot be denied.

The congresswoman highlighted the dire situation in Gaza, particularly the forced famine affecting 1.1 million Gazans, which has been acknowledged by multiple governments and non-governmental organizations. She pointed out that even officials within the United States State Department have acknowledged the intentional denial, blocking, and slow-walking of aid by the Israeli government, leading to a potential mass famine.

Ocasio-Cortez's comments came days after her impassioned speech on the House floor, where she called for the Biden administration to halt military aid to Israel and referred to the ongoing bombardment of Gaza as an unfolding genocide. She described the forced famine as a clear example of the devastating consequences of the conflict.

During the interview, Ocasio-Cortez emphasized the importance of differentiating between the actions of governments and the people they represent. She asserted that the forced famine in Gaza cannot be justified by the actions of Hamas, and that the well-being of civilians, particularly children, should not be tied to the actions of militant groups.

The World Food Programme recently issued a warning that famine is "imminent" in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, with crisis levels of food availability. Only nine convoys of aid have been permitted to enter Gaza this year, while the agency estimates that 300 trucks are needed to address the pressing issues.

Tapper mentioned that Israeli officials claimed to be allowing hundreds of aid trucks into Gaza daily and suggested that the conflict could end if Hamas released hostages and laid down arms. However, Ocasio-Cortez disagreed, emphasizing that the actions of Hamas should not determine whether innocent civilians have access to food.

Progressives and Democrats have increasingly expressed concern over civilian casualties and reports of starvation and malnutrition in Gaza. Since October 7, over 30,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in the violence, which began when Hamas launched surprise attacks in southern Israel, leading to the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the kidnapping of 240 others.

Acknowledging the severity of the situation, the United States has started delivering humanitarian aid into Gaza via cargo planes. President Biden has pledged to "do more" to assist the civilians caught in the crossfire.

The debate surrounding the term "genocide" and the actions in Gaza continues to evoke strong reactions from both sides, as international efforts to de-escalate the conflict and address the dire humanitarian situation intensify.