Schakowsky Welcomes Gaza Ceasefire Agreement, Calls for Permanent End to the Israeli-Hamas War

WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) issued the following statement on the ceasefire-hostage deal reached between Israel and Hamas:

"I am relieved by President Joe Biden's announcement that a ceasefire and hostage agreement in the Israel-Hamas war has been reached. This is a critical step towards permanently ending the catastrophic war in Gaza. The U.S. and our allies must continue their aggressive diplomacy to bring lasting peace in the region.

"For 15 and a half months, hostage families have been living an agonizing nightmare of not knowing whether their loved ones are still alive and whether they will ever return home. Innocent families in Gaza have endured incomprehensible pain and loss. And both Israelis and Palestinians will be reeling from the trauma and carnage of this war for decades to come.

"Today's agreement is long overdue, and we must do everything in our power to ensure it is upheld and that the horrors of the past 467 days are never repeated. Going forward, every single hostage, living and deceased, must be released. All IDF troops must be pulled out of Gaza. The U.S. must work with our allies to surge humanitarian assistance into Gaza, ensure that a viable post-war plan is in place, and that rebuilding can begin. And the work must continue towards securing a long-term peace plan that resolves the underlying conflict between Israelis and Palestinians; one that guarantees Israel's safety and security and self-determination for the Palestinians."

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