Gottheimer leads bipartisan call for action on remaining American hostages held by Hamas
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., led a bipartisan group of lawmakers in a letter to President Donald Trump on Thursday urging renewed diplomatic efforts to secure the release of American hostages still held by Hamas, following the recent release of Edan Alexander.
The letter calls on the administration to prioritize the return of the remaining hostages, including the remains of Americans Omer Neutra, Itay Chen, Gadi Haggai and Judi Weinstein Haggai.
“Building on the momentum of Edan’s release, we strongly urge your Administration to press forward with all available diplomatic efforts to secure the return of all hostages—including the four remaining Americans: Omer Neutra, Itay Chen, Gadi Haggai, and Judi Weinstein Haggai,” the members wrote. “We urge you to continue using every diplomatic tool available, in close coordination with our regional allies and partners, to press for the release of all hostages. Edan’s return has brought renewed hope to the nation—and to the close-knit community of Tenafly, New Jersey. Now, we must act swiftly to ensure that hope is realized for every hostage and every waiting community.”
The effort follows the October 7 Hamas-led attack, which killed more than 1,000 people, including at least 40 Americans, and led to the kidnapping of 12 others, according to U.S. officials.
President Trump previously pledged to prioritize the safe return of American hostages during his current term in office.
The letter was signed by Reps. Gabe Amo (D-R.I.), Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Herb Conaway (D-N.J.), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.), Laura Gillen (D-N.Y.), Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), French Hill (R-Ark.), Val Hoyle (D-Ore.), Tom Kean (R-N.J.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Young Kim (R-Calif.), Greg Landsman (D-Ohio), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Chris Pappas (D-N.H.), Maria Salazar (R-Fla.), Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), Kim Schrier (D-Wash.), Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.), Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.) and Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.).
