The people of Israel and the pro-Israel community are mourning tonight as Itay Chen, one of the young Israeli-American men taken hostage by Hamas, was pronounced dead. Officials now assess that Itay was killed on October 7 before being taken into Gaza by Hamas.
Itay’s parents, Hagit and Ruby, have been outspoken advocates for the release of all the hostages. President Biden and members of Congress have issued statements mourning Itay and condemning Hamas.
AIPAC joins the Chen family and the people of Israel in grieving, and we redouble our commitment to fighting for the release of all 134 hostages.
Security Council Discusses Hamas’ Systematic Sexual Violence on October 7
Today, U.N. Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten spoke before the U.N. Security Council, providing detail about Hamas’ horrific sexual attacks on Israeli women and girls – both on October 7 and while in captivity.
"What I witnessed in Israel were scenes of unspeakable violence perpetrated with shocking brutality, resulting in intense human suffering," Patten said.
Following her remarks, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield challenged the Security Council, "The only question is this: How will the Security Council respond? The U.N. Security Council must unequivocally condemn Hamas’ sexual violence."
Thomas-Greenfield went on to call on the Council to demand Hamas agree to the U.S.-brokered deal on the table to pause fighting for 6 weeks, release hostages, and surge aid into Gaza. "Israel has already agreed to the terms of this deal," she said. "The fighting could cease today if Hamas would release the first hostage and stop using people as pawns."
Massive Bombardment from Hezbollah
Hezbollah fired 100 rockets at northern Israel today, continuing its ongoing assault on Israel from Lebanon. The Iranian-backed terror group has fired more than 4,000 rockets at Israel since October 7.
Iron Dome was used to intercept scores of incoming rockets and protect Israeli communities. Congress is expected to vote in the next ten days on a bill that will include $500 million for joint U.S.-Israel missile defense programs like Iron Dome. Click here to urge your members of Congress to support this lifesaving program.
Israel has reportedly struck more than 4,500 Hezbollah sites since October 7.
Military Experts: Road to Ceasefire Leads Through Rafah
Jacob Stoil and John Spencer from the West Point Modern War Institute wrote that the best path to a ceasefire is for Israel to press forward with its operation in Rafah.
"Without operations in Rafah, Israel will be forced to accept outlandish demands for the return of the hostages," they write. "Moreover, Hamas will survive and emerge as the only Palestinian organization to defeat Israel."
They went on to say, "Without the realistic threat of an Israeli operation in Rafah, Hamas has no reason to seek a ceasefire, and given Hamas’ strategy, there can be no truly lasting ceasefire if Hamas can return to control Gaza."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today reaffirmed that Israel will press ahead with its campaign to destroy Hamas. "To win this war, we must destroy the remaining Hamas battalions in Rafah. If not, Hamas will regroup, rearm and reconquer Gaza – and then we are back to square one. That is an intolerable threat that we cannot accept."
Watch: Family of Hostages to Palestinian Ambassador to U.N.
Ali Ziadna, an Israeli-Arab who has two family members still held captive by Hamas, confronted Palestinian Ambassador to the U.N. Riyad H. Mansour this week.
Ziadna's brother and nephew have been held hostage in Gaza for 158 days now.
"A Muslim, like you and I, you kidnap? A Muslim, just like you, you have left in a tunnel, when he is hurting, hungry and stripped."
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