Congressman García’s Statement on the Gaza Ceasefire Deal

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) issued the following statement in response to yesterday’s signing of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas:

“I am relieved by the signing of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, which has already led to the release of the 20 remaining living Israeli hostages and more than 1,900 Palestinian detainees. It is with cautious optimism that I hope it ends the immediate horrors of Israel’s genocidal assault on the Gaza Strip and de-escalates regional tensions.

“However, as we celebrate the release of the hostages and the potential for a more durable peace, we must recognize that the current situation is fragile and will require our vigilance far beyond these first steps to meet Gaza’s enormous humanitarian needs and begin a political and rebuilding process through which Palestinians can achieve self-determination.

“We also cannot lose sight of the need for accountability. Every day for the past two years, my constituents have called not only to denounce the horrors of Israel’s war in Gaza but also to express their outrage at the U.S. providing most of the weapons that enabled them. It is essential that we both support the conditions necessary for a more peaceful future and pursue accountability for clear breaches of U.S. and international law.”

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