November 21, 2023 Press Release WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) issued the following statement today on the Israel hostage deal: “I was relieved to hear the announcement that Hamas will release 50 women and children that the terrorist organization took hostage during its brutal October 7 attack on Israel. I praise President Biden and his Administration, as well as our international partners, for all that they did to bring about this agreement. These innocent people have endured unimaginable horrors, and their safety remains of the utmost importance. It is sickening that Hamas would rip 240 people from their homes and hold them against their will for weeks on end. “The release of these hostages does not diminish the dire importance of ensuring Hamas' defeat and the safe return of the remaining 190 captives. These objectives go hand in hand. After taking the next few days to recover the hostages expected to be released through this agreement, Israel must be able to continue its absolutely essential mission to eliminate Hamas' ability to rule over Gaza and to carry out attacks and abductions like those we saw on October 7. Indeed, Hamas has repeatedly stated that it will seek to replicate the atrocities its fighters committed that day again and again. So long as Hamas maintains its operational capacity, its oppression of innocent Palestinians in Gaza and its genocidal campaign against Jews and the State of Israel will continue. We have a duty to help stop them. “Congress' priority right now ought to be securing unconditional, uncompromising aid to the State of Israel so that our ally can achieve these goals. I echo President Biden's stark warning to Iran, Hezbollah, Houthi rebels, and other Iranian proxies in the region who may try to escalate this war: 'don't.' Dealing Hamas a swift, decisive defeat is the best way to prevent this war from widening. Our ally is depending on us now more than at any other point in its 75-year history. We must not fail to meet this moment.”