November 14, 2023 Press Release WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement today after viewing footage of the terrorist attacks by Hamas, shared with Congress by the Israeli Embassy: “The footage I saw this morning depicting Hamas' acts of obscene violence against Israeli civilians on October 7 was unfathomable. The sheer carnage of the scenes I saw called to mind the darkest moments of the Holocaust, the pogroms, and thousands of years of antisemitic violence. In one clip, two little boys watch a Hamas fighter kill their father right before their eyes. In another, a terrorist stands over the bodies of dead Jews as he brags to his parents over the phone about how he killed ten Jews with his bare hands. We saw images of mutilated infants, defiled corpses, and families burned alive in their homes. This barbarism defies all comprehension in the twenty-first century. “What I saw this morning will forever haunt me. Every Member present was either in tears or sat stunned. That Hamas fighters filmed – and even livestreamed – these videos out of pride, wanting to preserve their butchery for posterity, makes these recordings all the more sickening. Just as the artifacts and evidence displayed at Yad Vashem in Israel and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum ensure we will never forget the Nazis' genocidal campaign, these videos will forever serve as a testament to Hamas' utter moral depravity. “Every day, Hamas continues to show its willingness to harm not only Israeli civilians but also innocent Palestinians. Their fighters prevent the people of Gaza from evacuating to safety, choosing instead to hide among Palestinian civilians and use them as human shields. We must ensure that Hamas is brought to justice for the agony they knew their attack would inflict on both Israelis and Palestinians. “No matter our personal politics, we must never downplay the severity of these atrocities or look upon Hamas as anything other than a terrorist organization that proudly breaks international law. Israelis are depending on our aid to overcome this foe. The horrific footage this morning ought to spur Congress to take immediate action to support our ally without condition and without delay. The people of Israel cannot afford to wait months for our aid. Innocent Palestinians cannot afford to wait months for our humanitarian relief. The Americans and Israelis held hostage by these ruthless terrorists cannot afford to wait months for rescue. For their sake, and our own, we must act decisively, and we must act now."