House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks Urges Hamas to Accept Agreement, Israel to Refrain from Escalations in Gaza City

Washington, D.C. - Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement urging Israel to refrain from further military escalation in Gaza and calling for Hamas to accept the 20-point plan announced by the White House in order to advance a viable pathway to peace.

"Ongoing large-scale military operations and forced evacuations in Gaza City are placing civilians at grave and unnecessary risk. This is a critical and highly sensitive diplomatic juncture, and all parties must exercise maximum restraint and urgency to ensure the success of the proposed 20-point ceasefire plan for Gaza.

"Hamas must accept this deal and release all remaining hostages, the first crucial step to peace. At the same time, Israel must refrain from any escalatory actions that place Palestinian civilians - who have nothing to do with Hamas - in harm's way.

"It is in Israel's own interest, and the interest of regional stability, to achieve a durable resolution to this conflict. This can only be achieved through a credible peace process that secures the release of all remaining hostages, recognizes the dignity of Palestinians, resumes life-saving humanitarian aid, and ensures the viability of a two-state solution. Escalation only worsens the humanitarian crisis and delays peace."