Elfreth Statement on Gaza and the Need to Reach a Ceasefire
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03) issued the following statement calling on immediate action for all parties to stay at the negotiating table to reach a ceasefire and address the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“In the 657 days since Hamas attacked Israel, the war has escalated dramatically. As the human cost continues to rise, all parties share a collective responsibility to continue working towards a ceasefire and ultimately an end to this war. Israel must take immediate action to address the need to protect civilian lives and allow for the sustained and unimpeded access to aid and food. The current hunger crisis is causing untenable suffering to the most vulnerable in the region. The safety and security of the doctors and aid workers – including the many Americans – who are delivering food and aid to families across the region must also be prioritized.
“As I’ve made clear in House Armed Services Committee hearings, President Trump’s purported plan of turning the Gaza Strip into a ‘Riviera of the Middle East’ is unconscionable. It’s imperative for the United States to stay at the table to help facilitate negotiations and an end to the war. Hamas must act in good faith to achieve a ceasefire, cannot interfere with the delivery of humanitarian aid, and must release the remaining 50 hostages, 20 of whom are still believed to be alive. And Israel holds the responsibility and capacity to address the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“I have long held the belief and the hope in a two-state solution that ensures a lasting peace, self-determination, and the opportunity for all families to thrive and live without fear of violence. From the families who lost loved ones in the horrific attack on October 7th to the children facing the current hunger crisis, the civilian cost of this war has been far too great. An end to the war is the clearest path forward that will allow for all remaining hostages to be reunited with their families and end the dire situation in Gaza. It is the only way to begin the process of recovery and rebuilding.”
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