WASHINGTON Senate Democrats are scattered on the question of putting new conditions on a package of billions of dollars in aid that Congress hopes to approve for Israel amid its war against Hamas.

Some, like Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), say they oppose trying to micromanage what Israel does on the battlefield. Others, like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who caucuses with Democrats, say they know that people in America and around the world are very dispirited by the number of Palestinian civilians who have been killed in Israeli attacks pummeling the Gaza Strip, where Hamas is based.

Were talking about 14,000 people in a seven-week period, 70% of whom are women and children, Sanders told reporters on Tuesday. Yes, Israel absolutely has a right to defend itself from a barbaric attack. But there are ways to do that.

He continued: Then the question is, do we simply provide a blank check and say, Hey, yeah, we are concerned about it, but heres the money, do what you want to do? Or do you say, Hey, if you want our money, you have to listen to our conditions?

But even Sanders, easily the most prominent progressive on Capitol Hill, hedged when asked if he supports writing conditions into the forthcoming aid package.

Lets take it one step at a time, he said, before turning to leave.

For all the debate over potential conditions on the aid package which is expected to pass in the next few weeks the reality is that Congress is highly unlikely to include any new restrictions on funding for Israel, a longtime U.S. ally.

Republicans dont support the idea at all. Democrats largely dont, either. Among the handful of lawmakers discussing conditions, theres no agreement on what the new requirements would be, though Sanders has offered a road map . And this political reality doesnt even take into account the impact of imposing new conditions on foreign aid in statute, a process that would take months if not years to have a demonstrable effect.

Still, some Democrats and outside observers say the most significant, realistic thing that Congress can do to influence Israels war against Gaza and try to save lives is already happening: Its that lawmakers are even talking about the possibility of conditions on aid.

Were doing it already, said Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), a senior member of the foreign relations committee, referring to senators trying to persuade Israel to behave more humanely.

Asked if he thinks the Israeli government is listening when senators air concerns about civilian casualties or the need for more humanitarian aid for Gaza, he emphatically said yes.

They are paying attention, Kaine said. I am always impressed by the Israelis. During my time here, they pay very close attention to what happens in this place.

Blumenthal, one of several Democratic senators who met privately with senior Israeli Defense Forces officials in the Capitol on Monday night, similarly said he thinks Israeli officials are heeding the advice theyre hearing from senators and from President Joe Biden .

Ive urged both publicly and privately that they take additional efforts to minimize civilian casualties, which they are doing, he argued, pointing to the pause in Israels offensive, which has allowed for a release of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas, as well as more humanitarian aid to be delivered to Gazans. Blumenthal speculated that the country will change its approach once it resumes its campaign, as it has pledged to do.

If bombing is resumed, it will take steps like avoiding the use of 2000-pound bombs, Blumenthal said. I think they will bomb less frequently. And I think theyll take steps to try to protect civilians, just based on my general conversations.