Kaptur Statement On Hostage Release and Ceasefire Agreement Between Israel and HamasPress Release

Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) released the following statement upon news that a hostage release and ceasefire agreement had been agreed to between Israel and Hamas.

"On January 15th, negotiators for Hamas and Israel reached a ceasefire agreement to bring peace to Gaza for the first time since 2023. Today Israel voted to officially proceed with the agreement which begins with a 6-week ceasefire to take effect on Sunday, January 19th. During this ceasefire Hamas and Israel will explore a permanent truce and lasting security for Israel and the people of Gaza.

"Real peace is now within reach.

"With wise committed political leaders, nations can flourish. But for 467 days since the bloody massacre by Hamas on Israel, dozens of families and their friends have waited with bated breath not knowing if their loved ones held hostage were alive or dead. Thousands of innocent people, largely women and children, have died - caught between irreconcilable political differences.

"Since October 7, 2023, tens of thousands of innocent lives have been lost to the ensuing fighting and bloodshed as Israel has attempted to root out Hamas and its network of cached weapons and tunnels in Gaza. Building forward from such a conflagration will take continued commitments toward peace and justice in the region. The world community must stay engaged.

"President Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and all the negotiators have worked overtime to put people above war, and hope above despair. As this New Year begins, the world community and nations in the Middle East have cause for much hope. The difficult road to peace lies ahead. But this agreement finally reached to release hostages and effect a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza is step one on a long road forward.

"Nothing can undo the horrors that have taken place over the last year and a half. It is my sincere hope that Hamas' release of additional hostages and a cessation of hostilities can allow a long-awaited period of peace in this region. Humanitarian aid must be able to reach besieged areas unimpeded so continued dialogue can result in a long-term solution toward a lasting peace.

"Even if it is fragile, a ceasefire demonstrates that mutual concessions and constructive solutions are possible. A negotiated truce and even the potential for a two-state solution lie ahead for all Israeli and Palestinian people. That will take committed leadership. Only then will a true lasting regional peace take hold.

"Onward Israel, Onward Palestine, Onward Peace."

Since the start of the conflict in Gaza, Congresswoman Kaptur has remained actively engaged in urging an aggressive diplomatic path forward to address the ongoing conflict and work toward a negotiated two-state solution. You can find a list of other actions and steps she has taken by clicking here.

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