Whereas Hamas, an Iranian-backed terrorist organization, carried out a coordinated series of surprise terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023; Whereas, during the attacks of October 7, 2023, Hamas brutally claimed the lives of more than 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals, including 35 United States citizens; Whereas, during the attacks of October 7, 2023, Hamas took an estimated 240 Israelis and foreign nationals hostage; Whereas, after a temporary pause in hostilities in November 2023, during which some hostages were released in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners, Hamas continues to hold approximately 130 people hostage in Gaza, including 6 United States citizens; Whereas the hostages who were released from Gaza in November 2023 have provided harrowing reports of the brutality they faced at the hands of Hamas terrorists, including starvation, sexual assault, and other forms of torture; Whereas Presidential Policy Directive 30, issued on June 24, 2015, states, The United States will use every appropriate resource to gain the safe return of U.S. nationals who are held hostage. But the United States Government will make no concessions to individuals or groups holding U.S. nationals hostage. ; Whereas article II of the Constitution of the United States empowers the President, as Commander-in-Chief, to direct the use of military force in self-defense, including the defense of United States citizens; Whereas section 2(c) of the War Powers Resolution ( 50 U.S.C. 1541(c) ) further states that the article II powers of the President, as Commander-in-Chief, to introduce the Armed Forces into situations of hostilities or imminent hostilities can be exercised in the event of national emergency created by attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or its Armed Forces.