Scholten Statement on Deal to Release Hamas-Held Hostages

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Rep. Hillary Scholten (MI-03) issued the below statement after a vote by the Israeli cabinet approving a deal to release Hamas-held hostages:

“It’s with tempered relief that we receive the news of a deal to release hostages that were held for too long by Hamas and take the first step to de-escalation in this conflict. I’d like to thank the Biden Administration for working tirelessly on this issue and for heeding calls from me and my colleagues to take action and return the hostages home as soon as possible and turn towards peace.

While this is an encouraging development in the conflict, it will never take away from the horror these victims experienced or replace the innocent lives lost since the terrorist attacks on October 7th. One thing is clear: Hamas must go. 

As I have done for weeks, I continue to call for the release of the remaining hostages, for humanitarian aid to quickly reach innocent civilians in Gaza, and for Israelis and Palestinians to forge a path forward towards a two-state solution that allows for shared peace and prosperity for all. The United States should continue to facilitate strategic pauses in fighting to allow that to happen.”