Senators overwhelmingly rejected the resolution, which could have imposed conditions on billions of dollars the U.S. sends to Israel.

The US Senate has rejected a resolution that would set conditions for security assistance to Israel.

Senators voted overwhelmingly against the proposal late Tuesday. It would have demanded that security aid to Israel be frozen if the State Department does not submit a report within 30 days examining whether Israel has committed human rights abuses in its campaign in Gaza.

Seventy-two senators voted to repeal the resolution while 11 supported it, easily creating the simple majority needed to defeat the resolution in the 100-member chamber.

The vote was forced by the senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats. Although the resolution was narrowly defeated, it reflected growing concerns among some of President Joe Biden’s fellow Democrats, particularly on the left, about the continued supply of U.S. weapons to Israel even as the Gaza conflict has claimed heavy casualties for Palestinian civilians.

“We must ensure that U.S. aid is used consistent with human rights and our own laws,” Sanders said in a speech calling for support of the resolution. He complained that the Senate had not considered measures that would address the impact of the war on civilians.

The White House had said it opposed the resolution, which could have paved the way for imposing conditions on security assistance to Israel.

Senators who opposed the measure said it sent the wrong message at a time when Israel has said it is moving to a more targeted campaign.

“This decision is not only wrong, it is also dangerous. It absolutely sends the wrong signal at the wrong time,” said Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.

The U.S. has provided $3.8 billion in annual military aid to Israel in recent years, ranging from fighter jets to powerful bombs. Amid the Gaza war, President Joe Biden has asked Congress to approve an additional $14 billion.

“Can’t turn away”

Sanders’ resolution was filed under the Foreign Assistance Act, which allows Congress to direct the state to provide a human rights report and other information about any country that receives U.S. security assistance.

“Hundreds of thousands of children in Gaza, innocent children, are starving right before our eyes. We cannot turn away. We have to act,” Sanders said.

“Tragically, despite the efforts of the United Nations and others, despite the growing humanitarian crisis that we are experiencing, the situation has actually deteriorated in terms of providing assistance to those in need, these children.”

Had the resolution passed, the State Department would have had to submit a report to Congress within 30 days. After receiving the report, Congress could have considered another resolution proposing changes to security assistance to Israel.

The White House has rejected Sanders’ approach as “unworkable” as the Biden administration seeks a transition from Israel and works to ensure support at home and abroad against a fierce backlash Scenes of destruction from Gaza.

Biden’s administration says it has pushed Israel to reduce civilian casualties, but Israel says it will not rest until Hamas, the ruling entity in Gaza, is wiped out of the coastal enclave.

The war began when Hamas launched a surprise offensive across the border fence on October 7, leaving 1,139 people dead.

In Gaza, health authorities said in their latest tally that at least 24,285 people had been killed in attacks by Israeli forces in the besieged enclave. It is feared that thousands more bodies will be lost in the rubble.

The Israeli bombings have forced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million people from their homes, some multiple times, and sparked a humanitarian crisis as food, fuel and medical supplies ran out during Israel’s siege of Gaza.