Dear A.,

Ten more Israelis were released tonight from Hamas captivity, after being held for 54 days underground in Gaza.

New horrifying details are emerging about the abuse they endured at the hands of Hamas.

"Sometimes I got only half a pita bread a day," recounted Filipino national Jimmy Pacheco who was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Pacheco is one of several dozen foreign workers kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 who has been released in recent days. "When I needed to go to the toilet, I had to ask the guards. They would give me some toilet paper, which I kept in my pocket. I soaked the toilet paper in the humid walls of the tunnels and ate it, so my stomach won't be empty."

"The Jews who were held with me were treated very harshly," said a recently freed Thai worker. "Sometimes they were beaten with electric cables."

There are also remarkable stories of heroism and families reunited.

Yarden Roman (36), who was released tonight, was kidnapped on October 7 with her husband Alon and young daughter Geffen. The three took a chance and jumped out of a Hamas car as terrorists drove toward Gaza. While Geffen and Alon escaped, Yarden was snatched by the terrorists. Tonight, the family is together for the first time in 54 days.

Yagil Yaakov (13) celebrated his birthday today after being released this week. When he blew out the candles, he wished for all the hostages to be returned home safely.

Senator Schumer Delivers Powerful Speech: Today on the Senate floor, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer delivered a powerful address condemning the rising antisemitism and anti-Israel discrimination since October 7.

Schumer slammed those who wrongly express some justification or moral equivalence for Hamas’ massacre. He decried the double standards placed on Israel and the Jewish people. And he exposed how those with whom the Jewish community in America has regularly partnered on social issues are now leading the anti-Israel and antisemitic hostility.

Schumer spoke in depth about the ongoing war and Hamas’ despicable crimes. "By committing such heinous atrocities on October 7th before sneaking back into their tunnels underneath hospitals and refugee camps in Gaza, Hamas has knowingly invited an immense civilian toll during this war, exploiting the double standard that so much of the world applies to Israel."

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell joined members of Congress across the aisle in praising the speech, calling it "extraordinary."

Click here to share a clip from the speech, and read the full text here.

The IDF is preparing to resume its military campaign to destroy Hamas once the pause agreement expires. The next phase of the war will be extremely difficult, as Israel fights to destroy Hamas in densely populated areas throughout Gaza.