Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) explained Sunday that the reason he does not support a permanent ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group is because Hamas wants "permanent war" with Israel.

The Vermont senator's opposition to a permanent ceasefire comes as many Democratic lawmakers have called for one, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Ilhan Omar (D-MN). Sanders said that while he continues to support efforts to free hostages that Hamas is holding, he believes that a permanent ceasefire is not the solution to the Gaza conflict.

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"In terms of a permanent ceasefire, I don't know how you can have a permanent ceasefire with Hamas, who has said before Oct. 7 and after Oct. 7 that they want to destroy Israel, they want a permanent war," Sanders said on CBS This Morning. "I don't know how you have a permanent ceasefire with an attitude like that."

Sanders was also asked if he believed Israel's war with Hamas is justified because of the terrorist group's desire for a never-ending war, to which the independent senator replied that he believed Israel "has a right to defend itself" but clarified the country should target Hamas and "not the Palestinian people."

The debate of a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas comes after a temporary one took place last month, which allowed for over 100 hostages to be released. However, there are still more than 100 hostages being held captive in Gaza.

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On Wednesday, the White House all but confirmed reports that Hamas has sexually abused hostages taken in the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said he could not speak about any specific cases but that it is "safe to assume" the group is "still using sexual violence as a weapon."

"I can't speak to specific cases but — and I know Karine talked about this this week. It is a sick truth of this particular group that they use sexual violence as a weapon and a tool," Kirby said. "That's a matter of record, particularly since on the seventh of October and since listening to some of the hostages that have been released."