American Jewish Congress Statement on the U.S.-backed Hostage Agreement Between Israel and Hamas

The American Jewish Congress commends President Joe Biden for his personal commitment and perseverance in securing an agreement between Israel and Hamas that will release innocent Israeli, American hostages who have endured appalling conditions and torture for over 15 months. This significant achievement, made possible through cooperation between President Biden and President-elect Donald Trump and their respective teams, underscores the bipartisan commitment of the United States to the State of Israel and the security of its people.

Since October 7, Hamas, a brutal and inhumane terrorist organization, has inflicted unimaginable suffering on innocent hostages – Israelis as well as citizens from America, Europe, and Asia – including children, women, and the elderly. The hostage agreement announced today stipulates the release of 33 hostages in its first phase. While we welcome the news of the partial release of hostages, we remain deeply concerned about those still in captivity and will persist in our advocacy work until every one of them is freed.

Since the horrific Hamas attack of October 7, the American Jewish Congress has been unwavering in its efforts to secure the hostages’ release. We worked closely with the U.S. administration and Congress, engaged in diplomatic efforts with Qatar’s leadership, supported the families of the hostages, rallied global leaders, and led public campaigns to amplify their plight.

Our hearts go out to all the families enduring this nightmare for 467 days. We look forward to the first group of hostages being reunited with their families as soon as possible, and we remain resolute in the demand for the immediate release of all those still held in Gaza. The world must unite to hold Hamas accountable for its heinous crimes and ensure that no terrorist group can ever again exploit innocent civilian lives for their abhorrent agendas.