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Floor Speech

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Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, in March of last year, I spoke here to demand Hamas release all remaining Israeli hostages. In October last year, I spoke about President Trump's Israel-Hamas cease-fire deal. At that time, all of the living hostages had been returned to their families in Israel.

However, the bodies of those who had been murdered under the brutal terror of Hamas were still being held hostage. This was not merely a delay in returning the remains; it was a very deliberate, very psychological warfare tactic, weaponizing human suffering for the political gain of Hamas. This cruelty also prevented families from carrying out proper religious burial rights--a fundamental act of dignity and respect for the dead in Jewish tradition.

Now nearly 3\1/2\ months after reaching the cease-fire deal by President Trump, I am here to share that on January 26 this year, the final body of hostages has returned home to Israel. Families who have lived in unbearable uncertainty can now begin the sacred work of mourning, remembrance, and healing.

This moment is a reminder of both the resilience of the Israeli people and the enduring bond between the United States and Israel. America stood firm in demanding the release of every hostage, the living and the fallen, and we must continue to stand firm against those who use terror, brutality, and human suffering as bargaining chips.

I commend President Trump and all those who worked tirelessly to secure this outcome and remain hopeful that a lasting peace can be reached.

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