[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 14 (Thursday, January 25, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S261-S262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                 Israel

  Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, it has been 111 days since Hamas terrorists 
attacked Israel. Hamas massacred more than 1,200 civilians and abducted 
innocent men, women, and children from their homes and took them into 
Gaza.
  The hostages are being deprived of food, water, and medical care. 
They are being subjected to unbearable violence, sexual abuse, and 
psychological torture by Hamas terrorists.
  We know that six of the remaining hostages are Americans. One is a 
native of my home State North Carolina, Keith Siegel. Two of the 
Americans, Hersh Goldberg-Polin and Sagui Dekel-Chen, are critically 
injured.
  Each and every one of them must be released, and all levels of our 
government remain united in working to get them home.
  What Hamas has done is nothing short of evil. In this battle between 
the forces of good and evil, the United States must not only lead the 
forces of good, but we need to identify who stands with us and who does 
not.
  The State of Qatar hosts Hamas leaders in their capital of Doha. Now, 
Qatari officials have claimed that their hosting of Hamas terrorist 
leaders is necessary, so they say, because their country can be the 
conduit to negotiate a successful resolution to the crisis. In fact, 
subsequent U.S. administrations have endorsed this arrangement.
  But after 111 days, the American people are asking: What is taking so 
long?
  Qatar is hosting a brutal terrorist organization with American blood 
on their hands and American hostages in captivity. One has to consider 
the potential reality that Qatar might not have the leverage that they 
are so quick to boast about. And if Qatar is not able to effectuate the 
release of the hostages, then there is no further reason for these 
terrorists to remain in their country.
  This is personal for us Americans.
  I have met with families of the hostages as well as former hostages, 
like Keith Siegel's wife Aviva. I have heard their stories, and I look 
at their photos every day on my desk.
  Every day that these families have to live with the pain and 
uncertainty is unacceptable.
  To Qataris, I would say this: Our patience has run out. Time is up. 
Either pressure Hamas leaders to release the hostages now or expel them 
from your land. It is that simple.
  The United States of America will be watching.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. President, it has now been more than 100 days 
since scores of innocent people were kidnapped by Hamas. More than 
2,500 hours of fear, starvation, and torture; of parents, grandparents, 
teenagers, children suffering some of the most unimaginable horrors and 
wondering if they will ever see their loved ones again.
  This is my ninth time coming to the Senate floor to tell their 
stories, to express their pain. But for every day that I have come 
here, for every hour, for every minute the hostages and their families 
have lived eternities.
  Last week, I met the mother of a woman, a 19-year-old daughter named 
Daniela. She was kidnapped from the Nahal Oz. She showed me the before 
and after pictures of her daughter.
  On the morning of October 7, Daniela's mother woke up to the sound of 
sirens. She texted her daughter to ask her what was happening. Daniela 
responded ``Mom, pray for me'' and explained that there was ``lots of 
shooting everywhere and bombs.''
  The last anyone heard from her was 7:45 a.m.
  Daniela's mother says her daughter was injured in the leg and taken 
into Gaza, after she saw 16 of her friends slaughtered. She was wearing 
pale pink Mickey Mouse pajama bottoms and can be seen in a Hamas video 
with three other girls. Their hands are tied behind their backs; their 
clothing and faces smeared with blood and tears; sheer terror in their 
eyes.
  The same Hamas video also shows Liri Albag, another teenage hostage 
whose parents I met in Israel. Like Daniela, Liri was abducted from 
Nahal Oz. She is among the youngest female hostages remaining in Gaza.
  The last her family heard from her was 6:30 in the morning on October 
7. Liri's mother thought her daughter had ended up in one of the 
hospitals but soon learned from a Hamas video that she was among those 
kidnapped. Liri's father says that for the families of these hostages, 
the uncertainty and fear are killing them. Her mother says she cannot 
breathe because she does not know if her daughter is breathing.

  Daniela, Liri, and three other teenaged girls--19-year-old Karina 
Ariev, 19-year-old Agam Berger, and 19-year-old Naama Levy--were last 
seen by several abductees who have since been released. One woman said 
some of the girls were badly injured but weren't receiving proper 
medical care. She said that when the girls were sad or crying, their 
captors would sexually abuse them. She relayed their accounts of sexual 
abuse at gunpoint on a regular basis. She said the girls told her they 
could cope with their disabilities but not with the way they were 
constantly violated.
  One of the earliest images that we saw during the October 7 attack 
was of Naama Levy being dragged by her hair, her hands tied behind her 
back, thrown into a truck, blood streaming down her face, streaming 
down her arms, streaming down her back, her sweatpants covered in 
blood. No one deserves this kind of torture. No one should have to 
endure such unimaginable abuse--not for 1 day, not for 100 days, not 
ever.
  According to her loved ones, Daniela is a girl who spreads light 
wherever she goes. She is a talented musician who writes songs, plays 
the piano, and dreams of becoming a famous singer. Her mom says she 
pictures Daniela walking through the door and coming home. She implores 
parents worldwide to imagine their own children in such peril.
  Liri is an optimist who puts others before herself. She has lots of 
friends and loves to travel, to take pictures of her trips, and sing. 
Her family says she is such a strong girl who enjoys exploring life but 
that every minute is like an hour without her.
  Nineteen-year-old Karina Ariev is a gentle and humble girl. Her loved 
ones say she often has a wide smile and is always ready to help and 
support those around her.
  Nineteen-year-old Agam Berger--
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator's time has expired. There is an

[[Page S262]]

order for a cloture vote at this time. Perhaps the Senator can resume 
her remarks at a later time.
  Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent for 60 more 
seconds to finish my remarks.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there any objection?
  Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. President, 19-year-old Karina Ariev is a gentle 
and humble girl. Her loved ones say she often has a wide smile and is 
always ready to help those around her.
  Nineteen-year-old Agam Berger is a gifted violinist who volunteers to 
help disadvantaged populations. Like Karina, she also enjoys helping 
others and is an optimist who is always smiling.
  Naama Levy is a soft-spoken, athletic, and determined girl. She is 
compassionate and understanding, with a passion for helping those in 
need.
  As a mom, I cannot fathom the anguish these parents are facing. I 
know every other Senator here cannot fathom the anguish they are 
facing. All of us must do everything we can to bring them home.
  I yield the floor.

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