Ranking Member McCollum: Ceasefire Agreement Between Israel and Hamas Offers Hope for a Peaceful Future

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, issued the following statement on Thursday after the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas:

“Just over two years since the October 7 attack, peace in Gaza and Israel may finally be on the horizon. This initial ceasefire agreement is the first step in a long and arduous process of ensuring peace and stability in the region, and a long-awaited reprieve for the civilians in Israel and Gaza. When I first called for a ceasefire on October 17, 2023, I said that a lasting ceasefire requires international agreement. Now that American, Turkish, Qatari, and Egyptian mediators have reached this initial agreement, the difficult work begins as they work together to reach a deal that results in the release of all remaining hostages, the permanent withdrawal of Israeli forces, and an end of Israel’s bombing campaign in Gaza. 

 “Palestinians and Israelis deserve to live in peace. Now, it is time to rebuild Gaza. The international community must rush as much aid as possible to Gaza as quickly as possible, and the U.S. must continue to work with our partners in the region to rapidly bring this war to a close. It is my hope that as we seize this moment of peace, that the rebuilding effort focus on the needs of the people of Gaza and respects the sovereignty of the people of the West Bank. The Palestinian people must have a clear path to achieve freedom and statehood.

 “In war, the wounds sustained by the innocent take the longest to heal. This agreement marks a new day in this conflict, but our work is far from over. The hope of lasting peace can only be realized through cooperation, courage, and commitment to peace. Today, I am thinking of the families who are embracing their formerly captive relatives, those receiving the remains of their deceased relatives, and those who are mourning the loss of their friends, family, and ancestral homes.”

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