In a congressional hearing that was repeatedly interrupted by protesters, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, two top advisers of President Joe Biden, requested additional funding for Ukraine and Israel. The hearing, held before the Senate Appropriations Committee, focused on Biden's $106 billion national security supplemental funding request, which also includes provisions for U.S. border security.

Biden requested $61.4 billion for Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of supporting U.S. partners for national security. Approximately half of this amount would be used to replenish weapons stocks that were depleted due to previous support for Kyiv. Furthermore, $14.3 billion was requested for Israel, which already receives $3.8 billion in annual U.S. military assistance. The funding also includes $9 billion for humanitarian relief, including assistance for both Israel and Gaza.

The hearing, however, was marked by the presence of anti-war protesters who denounced American officials for supporting what they labeled as "genocide" against Palestinians in Gaza. The protesters, who raised red-stained hands in the air, were later removed from the room by Capitol police.

During the hearing, Blinken did not directly respond to the protesters but addressed the possibility of a ceasefire in the region. He expressed concerns that a ceasefire would simply consolidate the gains of Hamas and potentially lead to repeated conflicts. However, Blinken acknowledged the need for humanitarian pauses to ensure assistance reaches those who need it and to protect civilians.

Regarding the situation in Gaza, Blinken mentioned that Hamas cannot govern the region, but Israel cannot be the sole authority either. He suggested the ideal scenario would involve an "effective and revitalized Palestinian Authority" ultimately governing the strip, with support from other countries in the region under temporary arrangements.

Apart from Ukraine and Israel, Biden's funding request also includes $13.6 billion for U.S. border security, $4 billion in military assistance, and government financing to counter China's regional efforts in Asia.

The path forward for the funding request remains uncertain. While Democrats largely support the strategy of combining Ukraine aid with support for Israel, some Republicans object to the consolidation of the two issues. Additionally, public support for Ukraine aid has been declining, and Republicans aligned with former President Donald Trump have voiced opposition.

As the debate continues, the urgency of providing aid and support to Ukraine and addressing the ongoing conflict in Gaza underscores the complex challenges facing the Biden administration. The decision on the funding request will have significant implications for U.S. foreign policy and regional dynamics.

Update: Blinken revealed during the hearing that approximately 400 U.S. citizens and family members, totaling around 1,000 individuals, are currently stranded in Gaza and seeking assistance in leaving the region. The State Department is actively working to find a solution, but no concrete plan has been identified at this time.