Washington, DC – One year ago, Hamas launched a horrific attack on Israel, killing over a thousand people and injuring thousands more. This was the deadliest attack on Israel since its founding in 1948, and today we reflect on the lives lost and the families forever impacted.
We also acknowledge the many civilians and soldiers taken hostage during the attack who remain in Gaza. Our hearts break for their families, and we continue to call for their immediate release.
This past year has brought unimaginable pain, destruction, and insecurity to the region, including for millions of civilians in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, and more recently in Lebanon. Too many innocent people have been caught up in a cycle of conflict that cannot be solved by military means alone. It is long past time for a diplomatic solution that ends the fighting, results in the return of all hostages, and lays the groundwork to rebuild.
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