WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) joined a bipartisan letter led by Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) urging President Biden to continue putting his full attention on freeing American hostages that were taken by Hamas during the terrorist organization’s October 7th attacks in Israel and supporting Israel’s efforts to dismantle Hamas.
In the letter, the lawmakers wrote: “We appreciate that you have sent the U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs to Israel to assist in the recovery of the hostages, and we urge you to do everything in your power to secure their safe release.
“Hamas has already killed 30 Americans and likely injured many more…The terrorists responsible for these atrocities hide behind human shields while they threaten to livestream the execution of hostages. Hamas has also reportedly demanded the mass release of prisoners in exchange for freeing its hostages and could use the hostages to push for a ceasefire. With several U.S. citizens still missing in the aftermath of the terror group’s brutal attack, we urge you to continue putting your full attention on the freeing of American hostages. Every day must be treated with a sense of urgency.
“As a result, we urge the United States to continue supporting Israel’s urgent efforts to dismantle the threat of Hamas, provide the necessary resources for Israel’s defense, and continue offering whatever support necessary to immediately and safely rescue kidnapped Americans, with particular attention to those who require urgent medical care.
“We urge you to encourage our allies and partners in the region to place pressure on Hamas to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to have access to the hostages while the United States and Israel work to secure their release.”
Following Hamas’s terror attack on Israel, Senators Rosen and Cortez Masto called for immediate action to support Israel. They recently co-sponsored a bipartisan resolution standing with Israel against Hamas terrorism, demonstrating ironclad support for Israel’s security, and committing to providing Israel with the support it needs to defend itself. After returning from a bipartisan Senate Delegation visit to Israel, Senator Rosen introduced a bipartisan resolution demanding that Hamas release all hostages and allow for their safe return home. Last week, Rosen urged the Senate to approve supplemental funding for Israel’s defense and swiftly confirm Jack Lew as U.S. Ambassador to Israel. She also led a bipartisan group of senators in urging the Department of Defense to transfer additional Iron Dome batteries and other unused military assets to Israel.
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