MATSUI CALLS FOR TEMPORARY NEGOTIATED CEASEFIRE TO RELEASE HOSTAGES, PROTECT INNOCENT PALESTINIAN CIVILIANS
SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) issued the following statement calling for a temporary negotiated ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
“Israeli and Palestinian civilians deserve to live their lives in peace and dignity – free from and unthreatened by violence. We must take the first steps to peace – to free the hostages, to allow the flow of real and substantial humanitarian aid, and to protect the lives of innocent civilians. A temporary negotiated ceasefire would help achieve these goals.
“I strongly support Israel’s right to protect its people from harm. Hamas’ horrific terrorist attacks on October 7th against Israeli civilians and their ongoing use of Palestinian civilians as human shields are unconscionable and inexcusable. Lasting peace can only be achieved if Hamas’ terrorist infrastructure is dismantled.
“At the same time, we must exhaust every option to prevent the death of innocent civilians. The scope of destruction is devastating. I have spoken to my Palestinian constituents who have lost family members and relatives of those held hostage by Hamas. I share the deep grief of our community.
“Across Gaza, we must address the widespread inaccessibility of clean water, food, and medical supplies. A halt to the violence would allow this critical aid to get to the Palestinian people. In a time of extraordinary challenges, pain, and emotion, we must come together and allow our common humanity to break this vicious cycle of violence."
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