Israeli Hostage Crisis

Floor Speech

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Ms. STEVENS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Florida for her leadership in the House of Representatives during this incredibly sobering and trying moment.

When the Congressional Task Force on American Hostages and Americans Wrongfully Detained Abroad was created, we never envisioned a moment like the one that we found ourselves in on October 7.

As Americans, as Members of the House of Representatives, we don't just call for the release of the American hostages in Gaza, but we call for the release of all the hostages, for what took place on October 7 was an attack on innocent people. It was an attack on all of humanity, an attack on those living freely and peacefully, going about their daily business in free society.

They were attacked by terrorists. They were attacked by those who seek to do evil. They were attacked because of what Israel means to the world. That cannot stand.

Behind me is a picture of a woman, Karina Ariev, age 19, a surveillance soldier who was taken captive on October 7 when Hamas terrorists attacked the base at Nahal Oz, where she was stationed. Her family is still eagerly waiting for her release, including her parents and her 24-year-old sister, Sasha.

Sasha's plea for the return of her sister has been heard around the world. As I join my colleagues this evening in bringing attention to the individuals like Karina and the remaining hostages, it is incredibly sobering.

Sasha's words, which I would like to read, about her beloved sister are as follows:

``She called us in the morning [of October 7], and she said that the base had been raided and attacked. She basically called to tell us good-bye. And so, if she won't live, she asked us to continue our life. The last message was: `The terrorists, they are here.'

``A few hours later, we identified her in a video. This was a video that the terrorists took and then published on their Telegram channels. This is our last confirmation that she is alive. She is alive on the video, but we don't know what is going on now.

``We know that they probably took her. She was in their jeep, with other girls. We went to the police to show them the video and to say that we identify my sister so they can do something.

``The same evening, military officers came to our door, and they said to us that my sister, Karina, is held in the hands of a terror organization. From this moment, we do not know any other information.

``We sit, watch TV, and hope for the best.''

She continues: ``She is all I have, you know. I love my parents and all, but she is the one my heart belongs to. She is the only one I love in this world and the only one I want to be with me. She always comforts me.

``Even [though] she is my little sister, I can always come to her, and she will be logical with me and make me come together. She is very lovely. She is very innocent. She is very childish, although she is now a teenager. She likes to decorate her room. She likes stickers and the fluffy dolls of the animals. She loves to paint. She loves cosmetics; she is always doing my makeup. I do not understand anything about it.

``I remember the day she was born because the gap between us is 5 years. I was in the hospital, and I saw her. All this life, since the moment she was born till now, is just rolling in my head like a film.''

Hamas, release the hostages now. Bring Karina home to her family.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her poignant remarks and her dedication to this cause.

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