Hoyer Statement Calling on Hamas to Accept Proposed Ceasefire Deal

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement today after President Biden's address calling on Hamas to accept the current proposed deal for a six-week ceasefire:

“I echo President Biden in calling on Hamas to accept the current proposal for a six-week ceasefire and the release of the remaining 125 hostages held captive in Gaza. Israel has already accepted this deal. Hamas must follow suit. Qatar, Egypt, and any other nations that have influence with Hamas leaders must ensure that they accept this offer. All those who have called on Israel for a ceasefire – which it has agreed to in this proposal – ought to put the same pressure on Hamas.

“Just as Hamas started this war with its criminal, brutal terrorist attacks on October 7, the terrorist organization has prolonged it by breaking past ceasefires and rejecting multiple proposed ceasefire and hostage-release deals, including many that Israel stated it would accept. Meanwhile, Hamas terrorists continue to use Palestinian civilians as human shields. As we work to solidify this agreement and make it permanent, we must ensure that Hamas can no longer maintain its rule over Gaza, nor its capacity to endanger innocent Israelis and Palestinians alike. As President Biden made clear: 'if Hamas fails to fulfill its commitments under the deal, Israel can resume military operations.'

“Until Hamas agrees to these terms, the United States will continue to stand strong with our ally Israel in its effort to defend itself and to recover all remaining hostages. Securing this deal would be a crucial step toward a historic normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia that would bring greater security to the region. This deal would also allow us to focus on bringing calm to Israel's northern border, which Hezbollah continues to attack. Critically, the agreement would allow for a surge of aid – 600 trucks a day – into Gaza to alleviate the humanitarian situation. This offer is a generous proposal. Now, it is up to Hamas to accept it.”