Congresswoman Bush Statement on Hostage Release, Temporary Pause in Violence in Gaza
Washington, D.C. (Nov. 22, 2023)— Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) released the following statement upon the announcement of a U.S.-brokered agreement between Israel and Hamas:
“Tonight’s announcement of a temporary pause in violence and the release of women and children who are being held hostage and arbitrarily detained is a welcome and necessary start. It further proves the effectiveness of de-escalation and diplomacy—not military force—as a means of saving lives and affirms why we must keep up our push for a permanent ceasefire. Already over 14,000 Palestinians have been killed, including nearly 6,000 children, more than 30,000 have been wounded and thousands more are at risk of death due to the lack of medicine, food, and water brought on by the ongoing siege of Gaza. When this agreement expires, the bombing will continue, thousands more will die, and millions of people will continue to be displaced. We must continue to vigorously push for a permanent ceasefire that ends this violence, protects and saves lives, and ensures the safe return of all hostages, including those who are being arbitrarily detained.”
On October 16th, Congresswoman Bush, alongside Representatives Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), André Carson (IN-07), Summer Lee (PA-12), and Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) led their colleagues in introducing the Ceasefire Now Resolution which urges the Biden Administration to call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Israel and occupied Palestine, and to send humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
###
