Washington D.C. – Last week, the humanitarian pause in the Middle East ended and both Israel and Hamas resumed their attacks against each other. In the wake of the renewed violence, Rep. Scott Peters issued the following statement: 

“There is no justification for the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7th: innocent civilians callously murdered in the streets and in their homes, girls brutally raped, children deliberately killed or ripped from their parents and taken hostage. Israel has every right to respond.

“Yet, the horrific images of destruction and loss of innocent Palestinian lives, too, since the war began cannot be ignored. No child should suffer in the ways we have all seen in footage from the rubble and from hospitals throughout Gaza, including those used by Hamas. It is critical that Israel take every precaution to avoid harming civilians even if Hamas is not also taking similar precautions. 

“I cannot, however, call for Israel to lay down its arms completely and unilaterally without any assurances that Hamas will do the same. Hamas’ words and actions have made clear their ultimate objective is to eliminate Israel, which is incompatible with a viable two-state solution. I believe that, in the interest of saving Palestinian lives, Hamas must lay down their arms and release all hostages. Then Israel must also lay down their arms, end the fighting, and we must all recommit to working toward peace in the region.  

“The recent six-day humanitarian pause proved successful. Over 100 hostages, including 80 Israelis, were released by Hamas and 240 Palestinians were released by Israel, all returning home to their loved ones. Additionally, we saw significant advancement in the delivery of humanitarian support to Gaza by international aid organizations following the establishment of safe corridors for civilians who have been displaced. I will continue supporting efforts to release all remaining hostages and ensure vital aid is reaching innocent civilians.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu also carries blame. He formed and currently leads a government in Israel that lacks any interest in negotiating a peaceful resolution. The current governing coalition includes extremists who advocate for ethnic cleansing, celebrate the killing of innocent Palestinians by Israeli settlers, and advance the expansion of settlements in the West Bank, an area meant for a future State of Palestine. None of this serves the interests of the broader Israeli public. Israel’s focus should not be on occupying Gaza once Hamas is defeated, as was stated by Prime Minister Netanyahu; Israel should be working with the international community so Gazans can determine their own path ahead once freed from Hamas. The future of Israeli and U.S. interests will not be served under the leadership of Hamas or Prime Minister Netanyahu.

“I urge Hamas and Prime Minister Netanyahu to finally place the interests of the Palestinian and Israeli people above their own and end the death and destruction now.”

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