House lawmakers unveiled a bipartisan resolution condemning Hamas on the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 massacre, when the terrorist group killed 1,200 and took 250 hostages in Israel.
The lawmakers called on Hamas to “immediately and unconditionally surrender” the remaining hostages and reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself from terrorist threats, according to the resolution. The resolution also detailed multiple atrocities Hamas has committed, including using civilians and their infrastructure to shield themselves from Israeli attacks, killing over 40 Americans, including hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, and refusing to allow humanitarian organizations to provide aid to hostages.
“On October 7th, 2023, the world watched in horror as Iranian puppet Hamas attacked Israel and committed mass murder and other atrocities on innocent men, women, and children,” Wilson said in a joint press release. “One year later, the U.S. remains steadfast in its support of the Israeli people and its commitment to securing the safe release of the remaining hostages.”
“We must continue to combat the surge in antisemitism that has followed and ensure that Iran and its proxies, including Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), Hezbollah, and the Houthis, are held accountable,” Gottheimer said in the press release. “This bipartisan resolution reaffirms America’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s security and to the release of all the remaining hostages, including American citizens.”
Since the Oct. 7 massacre, tensions have escalated between Israel and surrounding Iranian proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah, devolving into various conflicts throughout the region. Most recently, Iran has launched hundreds of missiles into Israel in retaliation to its attacks against Hezbollah and Tehran.
Around 8,700 Israelis were injured in addition to the 1,200 Israelis killed on Oct. 7, according to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since the massacre, over 41,000 people have been killed and nearly 97,000 have been injured, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health, although the ministry is controlled by Hamas and has faced questions of credibility.
As of Oct. 3, Hamas has exchanged 112 of the hostages for prisoners held in Israel, 37 bodies of hostages have been recovered and 97 are still held captive, according to the U.S. State Department.
_“Hamas’s brutal terrorist attack against our ally Israel on October 7, 2023, put the worst of evil on display for the world to watch. We will not forget the darkness of that day that will live in infamy,” Kim said in the press release. “One year later, the United States cannot waver in standing with our freedom-loving allies and against terrorism — wherever it rears its ugly head.”
Featured Image Credit: Vyacheslav Argenberg