[Page S2960]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                HOSTAGES

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, on the hostages in Gaza, last week, we 
witnessed a moment of hope: the release of American-Israeli and former 
New Jersey resident Edan Alexander, who had been held in Hamas 
captivity for nearly 600 days.
  But our work is far from over. We must keep fighting for the release 
of all 58 hostages still being held by Hamas, including the remains of 
4 New Yorkers who were brutally murdered: Omer Neutra, Itay Chen, Gad 
Haggai, and Judi Weinstein.
  I call on all parties to seize the momentum of Edan's release to 
secure a deal--one that secures the release of the remaining hostages, 
delivers an immediate surge of humanitarian aid and food for innocent 
Palestinians in Gaza, and moves us toward a durable and lasting 
security and peace in the region.
  As negotiations continue, I urge both the Israeli Government and the 
Trump administration to do everything possible to ensure full access to 
lifesaving aid, shelter, and essential services for all innocent 
civilians in Gaza.

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