The Security Council recently heard from former Israeli hostage Noa Argamani pleading for international action to secure the release of hostages, who like herself, were brutally seized by Hamas during its October 7, 2023 terror attack on Israel.
Dorothy Shea, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires ad interim assured her and the Council that the United States continues to work with Qatar and Egypt to ensure full implementation of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal.
“The taking of hostages is a despicable, criminal act. All hostages must be released now.”
Ambassador Shea also noted how Hamas cynically weaponizes the suffering of Palestinians “by using civilian infrastructure to store caches of weapons, house fighters, and coordinate attacks.”
“As long as Hamas stands as a force that can govern, or as a force that can administer, or as a force that can threaten by use of violence, peace becomes impossible.”
“Bold thinking is needed,” said Ambassador Shea, “to avoid ending up in the exact same place – death, destruction and instability, which is untenable for Israelis, Palestinians, and the region.”
“Any plan for reconstruction in Gaza must ensure Hamas is fully removed from power and held accountable for its October 7 terrorist massacre. We look forward to a plan from our Arab Partners on the future of Gaza that reflects this vision.”
Turning to the wider region, Ambassador Shea pointed to the “nefarious influence of Iran:”
“Behind every terrorist group like Hamas, behind every act of violence, behind every destabilizing activity, behind everything that threatens peace and stability for the millions of people who call this region home, is Iran.”
Ambassador Shea emphasized the United States will not allow Iran to manufacture or acquire nuclear weapons to render itself immune from external pressure. Now, she said, because of the ceasefire in Gaza, “the countries of the Middle East have an historic opportunity to reshape their region in a way that affords its people a better path forward.”
“An expansion of the Abraham Accords can lead to greater regional integration between Israel and its neighbors as a unified bloc to counter Iran and its state-sponsorship of terror in Gaza, the West Bank, and throughout the region.”
“The United States,” declared Ambassador Shea, “will do its part to create a more prosperous future for all of the region’s people.”
