WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, issued the following statement after the Biden Administration announced a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas that includes the release of the thirty-three hostages, including Americans that were kidnapped and held hostage by Hamas for 15 months:
“I welcome the Biden Administration’s announcement that a ceasefire deal has been reached to secure the safe release of thirty-three hostages—including Americans—and to begin to bring an end to the conflict in Gaza. I am grateful to President Biden, who had the forethought to include the incoming administration into the discussion, as well as our mediating partners in the region, for bringing this agreement to fruition.
“This first phase must lay the groundwork for a sustainable ceasefire and path to rebuilding Gaza. It’s critical that all the hostages still being held by Hamas, including the remaining American hostages both alive and deceased, come home so families can grieve and heal after prolonged agony. Significant humanitarian assistance must make its way to the innocent civilians in Gaza who desperately need it.?
“The path forward will require sustained diplomatic engagement from the United States and our partners and allies in the region and around the world to work together to rebuild a Gaza that never again lives under Hamas’ terrorism and to ensure the security of all Israelis. It is vital that all adhere to the terms of the deal and commit to a path that can lead to Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in equal measures of peace, prosperity and mutual recognition, free from the cycle of extremist violence.”
Shaheen is a strong supporter of Israel and a two-state solution. In 2023, She swiftly condemned the Hamas attacks on October 7th and introduced a bipartisan resolution condemning Hamas for using sexual and gender-based violence as a weapon of war against Israelis. She has been a leading voice of support for hostages around the world, including those Americans and Israelis held in Gaza. Shaheen has expressed concern about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and pushed for a ceasefire to end the human suffering and bring home the hostages. She has joined letters in support of a strong humanitarian response in Gaza that reaches those civilians who need it most.
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