[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 14, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H115-H116]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        PRIORITIZING PEACE AND SECURITY IN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Quigley) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, on October 7, 2023, the people of Israel 
experienced the greatest terror attack in their nation's history. There 
were 1,200 people killed and 250 more were abducted in what was the 
most severe attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust.
  Nearly 100 hostages remain in Gaza, with at least a third of those 
believed to be dead. I was horrified by the atrocities committed by 
Hamas on October 7, but I am encouraged by the reports that indicate 
that Israel and Hamas are closer than ever to reaching a cease-fire 
agreement that would return all remaining hostages held in Gaza to 
their families.
  Still, the reality of the matter is whether a cease-fire is reached 
and whether that cease-fire lasts. We must act now.
  I firmly believe in Israel's right to defend itself. It has been a 
critical ally in the region and has earned our support as it defends 
against threats from Iran and its proxies, including Hezbollah in 
Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and Hamas in Gaza.
  Still, the manner in which Israel defends itself matters. After 15 
months of war, I believe Prime Minister Netanyahu has overseen a 
military campaign that has had catastrophic consequences not only for 
the people of Gaza but for his own people, as well.
  As Israel's strongest ally, we have a responsibility to ensure that 
the legitimate anger felt by its citizens and the rest of the world 
after October 7 does not spiral into endless violence. What began as a 
war of defense has now devolved into a war of retribution and 
widespread destruction.
  Over 47,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, though 
a recent study published by The Lancet estimates the death toll could 
be up to 40 percent higher. The majority of those killed are women and 
children.
  Madam Speaker, 90 percent of Gaza's population is internally 
displaced and the threat of widespread famine has lingered for months. 
At least six newborns have recently died of hypothermia. The number of 
children killed in Gaza during the war exceeds the total number of 
children killed in conflicts worldwide over the last 4 years.
  Thousands of children like Malek Al Kafarna are grappling with life-
threatening injuries as a direct result of the war.
  On October 24, 2023, Malek was waiting for food coupons at a market 
in a refugee camp when an airstrike hit and blew off his arm.
  It bears repeating that Hamas is an evil terrorist organization that 
cynically exploits civilians and has little to no regard for life, even 
the lives of other Palestinians, but research shows that terrorist 
organizations have rarely been dismantled purely through military 
force.
  Precisely because Hamas is such a threat, we must approach defeating 
them with a rational, evidence-based approach. Research by RAND shows 
that terrorist groups end through targeted intelligence operations or 
through a negotiated political settlement.
  In fact, I feel the war in Gaza will act as a recruitment tool for 
Hamas and will create a new generation of fighters who will seek 
revenge. After over a year of fighting, Hamas is weakened but has not 
been eliminated nor have the remaining Israeli hostages been released.
  The last time hostages were released was in November 2023, and they 
gained their freedom through diplomatic negotiations. What is urgently 
needed to bring an end to this brutal war is a diplomatic solution.
  Both the Israeli Government and Hamas must agree to end the fighting, 
release the hostages, and flood the Gaza strip with desperately needed 
food and medical supplies. It is in Israel's security interest to have 
a stable neighbor and a Palestinian state.
  Civil society has broken down completely in Gaza and the territory 
urgently needs a peacekeeping force to help restore order. This force, 
ideally composed of Arab states, will play a critical role now and in 
post-war Gaza.
  Hamas cannot remain in power and the people of Gaza deserve new 
political leadership that will prioritize peace as they establish a new 
government. Ideally, that government will be

[[Page H116]]

a reformed Palestinian authority empowered to both govern in the West 
Bank and Gaza.
  The ultimate goal for all parties must be a lasting peace, and that 
can only be reached through a two-state solution.
  We have the opportunity to change the trajectory of the lives of 
children like Malek. In 10 years, he will be 24. The choices we make in 
the coming weeks and months can either leave him desperate and 
hopeless, a prime candidate for recruitment from Hamas, or we can give 
him and the more than 1 million children living in Gaza the opportunity 
to grow up in a world that has prioritized peace and security. We must 
work toward ending this war and building a positive future for both 
Palestinians and Israelis.

                          ____________________