WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement:

“I welcome the announcement that Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement to bring about a ceasefire, secure the release of hostages, and lay the groundwork for a more durable peace following the conflict. For two years after the brutal terror attacks by Hamas, this war has brought devastating loss of life, fueled instability across the Middle East, and deepened divisions in the international community, with Palestinian civilians bearing tremendous hardship and suffering throughout.

“The release of hostages and the ceasefire are critical first steps, but they must be followed by sustained diplomacy to make sure this agreement holds and leads to lasting peace. That will require ensuring Israel’s security needs are met, meaningful and urgent relief for the civilians in Gaza, and a sustained commitment from all parties to continued diplomacy to advance lasting security and dignity for all in the region.

“This is a fragile but important moment. Everyone involved must work to ensure that this agreement is fully implemented and serves as a foundation for a sustainable peace and greater regional stability.”

###

* High-quality photographs of Sen. Mark R. Warner are available for download here *

Photos may be used online and in print, and can be attributed to ‘The Office of Sen. Mark R. Warner’