[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 209 (Tuesday, December 19, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S6037]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                 Israel

  Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. President, it has now been over 70 days--70 
days--since hundreds of people were kidnapped by Hamas. In that time, 
more than 100 have been released, including 4 Americans, but 8 
Americans remain in captivity. And from what we have heard from those 
who have been released and rescued, it is likely they are enduring 
unimaginable suffering.
  One of the released Americans, 4-year-old Abigail Mor Edan, was kept 
with four other hostages in above-ground apartments. She shared--
shared--one piece of pita bread per day with four others and did not 
have a shower in the entire 50 days in captivity. Her hair was cut 
because it was filled with lice.
  We have heard from others that they were kept in complete darkness 
for days. Some became psychotic and experienced hallucinations. A child 
was given ketamine for weeks, while others were given sedatives like 
Valium. We have heard reports of self-harm among the hostages, while 
some who have returned have suicidal ideations.
  Many were subjected to psychological torture. A 12-year-old boy was 
forced to watch videos of the October 7 attack and threatened with a 
gun when he cried. I have seen those videos. You cannot unsee them once 
you have seen them. I cannot imagine the nightmares that will plague 
that boy for the rest of his life.
  One man was told his wife was dead when she actually was alive. 
Others were convinced Israel no longer existed. A doctor who was 
treating hostages says that they were told that ``nobody cares about 
you. You are here alone. You hear the bombs falling? They don't care 
about you. We're [the ones] here to protect you.''
  Most children lost between 10 to 15 percent of their body weight. 
These kids were starved. They had skin rashes and infections from being 
held in unsanitary conditions. Other children were branded--literally 
branded--with a motorcycle exhaust pipe to help identify them if they 
escaped.
  Many came back speaking only in a whisper because they were warned 
not to make any noises in captivity. Many hostages were deprived of 
medicine and proper medical care. One woman who was shot in the hand 
says a veterinarian performed surgery on her. Others were beaten with 
electric cables.
  Now, as the fighting in Gaza intensifies, the lives of hostages 
remain in jeopardy. I can't imagine what it must be like to live on 
only a piece of a pita a day for months. I can't imagine what it would 
be like to endure constant physical, psychological, and emotional 
torture for 70 days.
  We know that at least one American hostage, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, had 
his lower arm blown off by a hand grenade. His mother says his injury 
could have easily resulted in him bleeding to death.
  The treatment of these hostages are crimes against humanity. They are 
war crimes. And for those who remain in captivity, we are running out 
of time. We cannot give up hope. We cannot abandon them. We must go to 
the ends of the Earth to bring them back. These are American hostages, 
hostages from our ally Israel. We cannot stand quiet while they suffer.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Washington.