WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the below statement following press reports of a hostage deal struck with Hamas in Gaza:

“I am heartened to learn that at least fifty hostages whom Hamas terrorists seized on October 7, including dozens of children, will soon return to their loved ones. It is imperative that the Biden administration work to achieve the release of the remaining hostages, including women and children, until all are freed.

“At the same time, I am deeply disappointed that this deal permits Hamas to benefit from its terrorism, including through the pause on Israeli action against the terrorist group and limitations on intelligence collection during the release process,” Wicker said. “It is further distressing to learn from media reports that Qatar, a major non-NATO ally, effectively served as Hamas’ lawyer during these events, allowing Hamas to set the terms for negotiating the release of young children. This is not behavior becoming of a friend of America.

“It is now up to the Biden administration to ensure that the hostage releases happen as agreed while also holding Hamas accountable. This agreement cannot be an excuse to abandon Israel nor its mission of dismantling Hamas’ rule and terrorism capabilities in Gaza. This is Israel’s war of self-defense, and we must continue to stand strong beside our Israeli allies to ensure that Hamas can never repeat the horrors of October 7 again.”