Calling on Hamas to Immediately Release Hostages Taken During October 2023 Attack on Israel
Floor Speech
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Ms. STEVENS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from North Carolina for yielding. She is a true leader in this country on Middle East issues. I also thank the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. McCaul, for his steady hand and dedication to leading the Foreign Affairs Committee during this pivotal moment in world history and for moving this resolution forward alongside the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the indefatigable former Chairman Meeks.
Congressman French Hill and I chair the Congressional Task Force on American Hostages and Americans Wrongfully Detained Abroad, and I thank him for being my lead sponsor on this bill. It is an honor to work with him in that capacity. This resolution speaks to our collaboration and dedication to the hostages taken by Hamas on October 7.
On October 7, a day that will live in infamy, 1,200 were killed in a surprise attack during a Jewish holiday. The attack didn't stop there because over 200 were taken hostage in one of the greatest hostage takings in world history.
We are now in a moment when the House of Representatives is called to speak, to demand on behalf of our government the return of all the hostages held in Gaza.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hundreds of cosponsors and supporters of this resolution. It is worth noting that fellow Members of Congress who span the country and the political spectrum have joined together to call out Hamas.
Mr. Speaker, the time is more than now. We have seen some hostages in the last handful of days being returned, and now we have learned of their harrowing time held in tunnels, nearly starved, with no beds. Right now, too many are left in those tunnels injured, uncared for, and victimized at the hands of those who killed their fellow countrymen and -women.
Introduced on October 17, a week-and-a-half into this hostage nightmare, this resolution, H. Res. 793, called out Hamas and demanded the return of the innocents--women, elderly, children, infants. Over the weekend, Israel and her allies secured the release of 58 hostages at 7 weeks into captivity. On Monday, 11 more hostages were released. Just moments ago, we have learned of more, for a total of 85. Among those are Aviv Asher, age 2; her sister Raz, age 4; Emma Cunio, age 3; Yuli Cunio, age 3; Avigail Idan, age 4; and Oria Brodutch, age 4-- toddlers, children, preschoolers, the most innocent people on planet Earth. Those freed also included senior citizens: Yafa Adar, age 85; Elma Avraham, age 84; and Channa Peri, age 79.
Why on Earth did Hamas take these people? Why did they force them to watch the murder of their loved ones? This is absolutely unconscionable, and it is an attack on all humanity.
These people have been used as pawns. We are relieved that some are home, but we must condemn those who have kidnapped. We must condemn the terrorists who seek to attack the Jewish state. They have brutally killed relatives, neighbors, and fellow Israelis. We must continue to push to return the remaining hostages.
Let us not forget that over 150 remain in Gaza, and many of those released still have family members held--nearly 200 people held for 52 days at gunpoint. Nine Americans continue to be held.
Hundreds of families are waiting with bated breath for the return of their precious loved ones, waiting for relief and joy or the worst pain known to humankind. We cannot even imagine their anguish. It is unfathomable. What Hamas did was evil, and it was an attack on the Jewish state.
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Ms. STEVENS. Mr. Speaker, I cannot in my allotted time name those who are remaining in Gaza, but we are making progress, and we will come together united as a House of Representatives to condemn this evil.
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