WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the statement below after the announcement of a deal between Israel and Hamas to free hostages taken in the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks in exchange for a multi-day cessation of hostilities in Gaza.

“I’m very heartened to see the announcement of a deal to finally bring home some of the hostages taken during the unconscionable terrorist attacks on October 7. I applaud all parties involved in the negotiations, including the Biden Administration, for reaching this critical breakthrough. However, our work will not be finished until all hostages have been returned to their families. It’s also clear that the humanitarian situation in Gaza has rapidly deteriorated, and that the multi-day cessation of hostilities secured as part of the deal will enable the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid and save many innocent Palestinian lives. Now that we have a deal, it’s incumbent on both parties to honor this agreement and to continue making every effort to protect innocent civilian lives."

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