WASHINGTON, DC—Representative Eliot L. Engel, the leading Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today released the following statement regarding Hamas’s breach of a negotiated humanitarian ceasefire and the abduction of Israeli soldier 2nd Lt. Hadar Goldin.

“I condemn in the strongest possible terms Hamas’s breach of the negotiated humanitarian ceasefire, which resulted in the killing of two Israeli soldiers and abduction of 2nd Lt. Hadar Goldin. This abhorrent violation came less than two hours into the ceasefire and threw to the curb assurances given to the international community. This only serves as further proof that Israel is well within its right to do what it must to ensure the safety of its citizens. I call on Hamas to immediately release Lt. Goldin and for those with influence over the group to urge them to do so, as well as abide by the agreed upon terms of the ceasefire.”

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