A group of House Democrats is urging the Biden administration to use its influence to limit civilian casualties in Gaza after Israel ordered an evacuation of the northern Gaza Strip.

Why it matters: It’s a rare instance of dissent in a Congress that has been overwhelmingly supportive of the Israeli government in the Hamas-Israel war.

Driving the news: In a letter to President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the 55 lawmakers wrote of their “concerns regarding the unfolding humanitarian situation in Gaza as Israel responds to Hamas’ terrorist attack.”

• The members said they are “deeply concerned” about Israel’s order to evacuate more than a million Palestinians to southern Gaza and the Israeli Defense Forces’ “complete siege” of the country.
• “We cannot achieve lasting peace and security for Israelis without addressing the humanitarian crises in Gaza and the West Bank,” the letter said.