Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick Marks October 7 Anniversary

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Ranking Member of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, issued the following statement on the two-year anniversary of the October 7th terrorist attack.

"Two years ago, Hamas terrorists carried out a brutal and senseless attack that claimed the lives of over 1,200 innocent civilians, marking the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. Hamas' brutality included using rape as a weapon of war and kidnapping men, women, and children. These atrocities, driven by Hamas and backed by Iran, were not acts of resistance, but acts of pure terror that tore families apart and shook the world's conscience.

"Today, the suffering continues, both for the hostages who remain in captivity and for innocent Palestinian civilians enduring the devastating toll of war. With Israel, Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, and regional partners agreeing in principle to the 20-point peace plan, a final agreement to end the war is within reach. The plan's priorities are clear: return the hostages, surge humanitarian aid, remove Hamas from power, and rebuild Gaza.

"Hamas must now choose peace over terror and release the hostages so that healing and reconstruction can begin. Both parties must faithfully implement this deal in order to end the bloodshed. The world must stand united in supporting this path toward lasting peace, rooted in security for Israel, dignity and self-determination for the Palestinian people, and a future free from the tyranny of Hamas."

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