Senator Murray Calls for Humanitarian Pause in Israel-Hamas War, Release of Hostages, Humanitarian Aid for Civilians in Gaza

Press Release

"Like so many, I've watched as the Israel-Hamas war has intensified. I continue to believe that Hamas must be held accountable for the horrific terrorist attack it launched against Israel. And I fear for the innocent families caught in the crossfire--from the Israeli civilians brutally attacked and taken hostage, to Palestinian civilians who are in the midst of an escalating and increasingly dire humanitarian crisis, millions of lives are at stake. I believe hostages taken by Hamas must absolutely be released and returned to their families safely. And I believe that a humanitarian pause in the fighting is necessary to save civilian lives and allow critical humanitarian aid to reach innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

I firmly believe that Israel has the right to defend itself against the very real and continued threat that Hamas--a group that espouses genocidal intent against Jews--poses to civilians. Still, Israel must do so within the bounds of international law and do its utmost to protect civilians--something I have repeatedly stressed and continue to emphasize.

We cannot lose sight of the human reality on the ground--the fact that in the middle of every conflict, are civilians--residents displaced from their homes, hostages torn from their families, people facing obstacles getting basic medical services, and kids and families who desperately need food and water.

Congress has a duty and a moral responsibility to quickly pass legislation that would provide urgently-needed humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza--including food, water, and fuel--as well as security assistance for Israel to defend its citizens against the continued terrorist threat posed by Hamas--and I am working to put together a bipartisan package to do just that right now. As Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I want to be clear that any supplemental funding package must include humanitarian assistance for civilians in Gaza. It is not just the right and moral thing to do, it also is very clearly in our national interest as it promotes long-term stability and security--combatting hopelessness that can spiral into new threats."

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