Whereas Hamas terrorists broke a cease-fire and committed an unprovoked attack on October 7, 2023, killing 1,300 men, women, children, and elderly people, and taking hostage over 250 others; Whereas more than 30 Americans were amongst those killed, and of the 132 hostages that are still believed to be alive, approximately 5 are American; Whereas Hamas has promised to commit October 7th style attacks on Israel again and again until they annihilate the State of Israel; Whereas the original Hamas Covenant in 1988 made clear their desire for the complete destruction of Israel as an essential condition for the liberation of Palestine; Whereas calls for the destruction of Israel are inseparably linked to calls for the annihilation of the Jewish people; Whereas Israeli civilians and population centers have been the target of more than 15,000 rocket, mortar, drone, and other projectiles attacks; Whereas Israel has every right to defend itself against those perpetrating these attacks and the right to take any steps necessary to once and for all eradicate the threat to its sovereignty and people posed by Hamas; Whereas Hamas has developed an intricate and vast network of tunnels beneath the Gaza Strip for smuggling and warfare and has strategically placed key portions of its tunnel system under heavily populated civilian districts, hospitals, and schools; Whereas Hamas uses civilians as human shields, intentionally causing incidental deaths and injuries to Gazan civilians, which helps to further perpetuate their motive to frame Israel as the unlawful aggressor; Whereas Hamas has stolen humanitarian aid meant for the civilian population as well as materials such as concrete and medical supplies meant for the construction of much needed civilian housing and hospitals for themselves, highlighting that these terrorists have little to no regard for the well-being of the people they supposedly represent; Whereas the United States and Israel are longstanding allies and partners in defense