Jayapal Applauds Negotiated Ceasefire-Hostage Deal

WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) released the following statement after a ceasefire and hostage deal was reached by Israeli and Hamas negotiators:

"Above all else, today's ceasefire deal is a monumental step toward saving lives and ending over a year of deep pain and suffering. Too many lives have been lost since the October 7th attack, and today I thank the negotiators from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar who have worked tirelessly to broker this deal.

"I first called for a ceasefire 10 days after Hamas's horrific attack on Israel. It was clear to me then that innocent civilians on all sides would continue to pay the price for this war - and that has sadly been the case as hostages have been killed and others held for over a year, more than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed, Gaza has been pushed to famine, entire families have been killed, and rising regional tensions have threatened more civilians throughout the Middle East.

"I have made it a priority to meet with families impacted by this horrible conflict, both of hostages, including in my own district, and those who have lost loved ones in Gaza and the West Bank to hear their stories and bear witness to their grief. Today I celebrate with the families who will be reunited with their loved ones, and mourn with those who will not have that opportunity.

"We must make clear that even with this ceasefire framework, our work is not done. We must do everything in our power to ensure that both sides uphold their commitments, and the violence comes to a permanent end. We must commit to rebuilding Gaza and to quickly and urgently getting humanitarian aid to the thousands on the brink of starvation. We must condemn and prevent the rising antisemitism and Islamophobia that we have seen as a result of this conflict. We must also ensure that those responsible for war crimes and violations of international law are held fully responsible.

"This is a hopeful day after more than a year of horror. Let us lead with our hearts, to move forward and commit to a true and sustained peace for Israelis and Palestinians."

The framework reached by Israeli and Hamas negotiators will be executed in three phases over at least twelve weeks that aim to establish a sustainable calm; see the release of all hostages held by Hamas, in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel; dramatically increase the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza; allow for the return of displaced Palestinians to the North of Gaza; the withdrawal of the Israeli military from Gazan population centers; and establish a reconstruction plan.

Since the start of this conflict, Jayapal has been a constant advocate for a negotiated ceasefire, the return of all hostages, and the protection of innocent civilian lives:

• Ten days after the October 7th attack, Jayapal reaffirmed her condemnation of Hamas and first called for an immediate ceasefire.
• She worked with federal agencies to help evacuate a constituent from Gaza at the outbreak of the war.
• Jayapal lauded a short-term negotiated ceasefire, which resulted in the return of 50 hostages, and reiterated her call for the release of all hostages and a permanent ceasefire.
• Jayapal co-led a letter condemning Hamas, calling for Israeli military operations to follow the rules of international humanitarian law, and continuing to work toward peace in the region.
• Jayapal voted against H.R. 8034, the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, which provided offensive military aid while humanitarian aid to Gaza was severely limited.
• Jayapal led an effort calling on the Administration to use all tools possible to dissuade the Israeli government from moving forward with an offensive invasion of Rafah.

Issues: Foreign Affairs & National Security