President Biden speaks from the Oval Office of the White House. A group of House Republicans sent a letter to Biden on Thursday imploring him to bring American hostages being held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza home. (AP/Jonathan Ernst/Pool)
The unexpected and overwhelming assault by at least 1,500 Hamas fighters, who poured into Israel by land and sea, killed about 1,200 people on Oct. 7, 2023.
More than 250 people were taken hostage and moved to Hamas’ Gaza stronghold.
"While we recognize the magnitude and complexity of this situation, we must not forget that these savage terrorists have raped and pillaged their way across Israel’s southern communities," the letter said.
Among the hostages, U.S. officials have said that five are American citizens, though it is unclear whether they are alive.
"As you know, five American citizens are still believed to be hostages of Hamas: Edan Alexander, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Omer Neutra, Hersh Goldberg-Polin and Keith Siegel," the letter said. "As this situation evolved, it quickly became evident that unthinkable acts, such as severe sexual and psychological abuse, had been perpetrated against these hostages."
The group of GOP lawmakers urged the White House to be "aligned" with Israel and that "deviations" from supporting Israel only "harden" Hamas' resolve.
I JUST CAME BACK FROM ISRAEL AND SAW THESE TWO IMPORTANT THINGS
"We strongly believe that the United States should be Israel’s greatest ally and advocate in the fight to bring these individuals home, particularly considering the international community’s consistent and callous minimization of the condition of these hostages," the letter said. "With this in mind, it is of utmost importance that the United States be aligned with Israel in its goals, as any deviations between Washington, D.C., and Jerusalem only serve to harden Hamas’s resolve and decrease the chances for hostage negotiations."
Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Fry said that the letter to Biden came after he witnessed first-hand the aftermath of the attacks.
"During our time in Israel, my colleagues and I witnessed first-hand the aftermath of the October 7th attacks and the heartbreaking destruction and disruption of life Israelis have faced," Fry said.
"The Biden administration should not be turning our back on our greatest ally in the Middle East," he said. "The United States must do everything it can to support Israel to defeat Hamas and other terrorists and help ensure the safe release of all hostages taken by Hamas."
Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant speaks during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon, March 26, in Arlington, Va. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
On Thursday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, affirming the U.S.' support of Israel.
In a press briefing Thursday, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said that the U.S. support of Israel was "ironclad."
"Secretary Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart this afternoon. Minister Gallant to discuss the current situation in the Middle East and to reaffirm the U.S. ironclad commitment to Israel's security against threats from Iran and its proxies."
Ryder said that the U.S. is in "close contact" with Israel as the Iran threat continues.
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.
She is a native of Massachusetts and is based in Orlando, Florida.
Story tips and ideas can be sent to sarah.rumpf@fox.com and on X: @s_rumpfwhitten.
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