Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Chairwoman of the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, today released the following statement on recent Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip.

“Continued and intensified missile and mortar attacks from Gaza into Southern Israel threaten the security of innocent families in Israel and Gaza. Hamas, which continues to deny Israel’s right to exist, will stop at nothing to deny peace to the region, including exploiting and endangering Gaza civilians.

"Israel has the right and responsibility to defend itself and its citizens from these ruthless attacks by striking the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza. It is my hope that this week’s events will make clear to Hamas that its attacks on Israeli communities must end so that negotiations toward a peaceful coexistence in the region can continue."