Quigley Delivers Floor Speech Reiterating Call for Arab-led Peacekeeping Force in Gaza

Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) spoke from the floor of the House of Representatives to reiterate his call for an Arab-led peacekeeping force to help restore order in the Gaza Strip. The remarks followed a statement released by Quigley last week, in which he initially called for the establishment of a peacekeeping force in Gaza, composed of Arab states. 

Quigley says, in part, “Civil society has broken down completely in Gaza and the territory urgently needs a peacekeeping force to help restore order. This force - ideally composed of Arab states - will play a critical role now and in post-war Gaza. Hamas cannot remain in power and the people of Gaza deserve new political leadership that will prioritize peace as they establish a new government.”

Quigley’s previous statement is available HERE.

Video of Quigley’s remarks today is available HERE.

Quigley’s remarks as prepared for delivery are below:

On October 7th, 2023, the people of Israel experienced the greatest terror attack in their nation’s history. 1,200 people were killed and 250 more were abducted in what was the most severe attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. Nearly 100 hostages remain in Gaza, with at least a third of those believed to be dead.

I was horrified by the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7th. But I am encouraged by reports that indicate that Israel and Hamas are closer than ever to reaching a ceasefire agreement that would return all remaining hostages held in Gaza to their families.

Still, the reality of the matter is whether a ceasefire is reached - and whether that ceasefire lasts - we must act now.

As I have for my entire career, I firmly believe in Israel’s right to defend itself. Israel has been a critical ally in the region and has earned our support as it defends against threats from Iran and its proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and Hamas in Gaza. Still, the manner in which Israel defends itself matters.

After 15 months of war, I believe Prime Minister Netanyahu has overseen a military campaign that has had catastrophic consequences not only for the people of Gaza but for his own people as well. As Israel’s strongest ally, we have a responsibility to ensure that the legitimate anger felt by its citizens and the rest of the world after October 7th does not spiral into endless violence.

What began as a war of defense has devolved into a war of retribution and widespread destruction. Over 47,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, though a recent study published by the Lancet estimates the death toll could be up to 40 percent higher. The majority of those killed are women and children. 90 percent of Gaza’s population is internally displaced and the threat of widespread famine has lingered for months. At least six newborns have recently died of hypothermia. The number of children killed in Gaza during the war exceeds the total number of children killed in conflicts worldwide over the last four years. And thousands of children like Malek Al Kafarna are grappling with life-altering injuries as a direct result of the war.

On October 24, 2023, 13-year-old Malek was waiting for food coupons at a market in a refugee camp when an airstrike hit and blew off his left arm.

It bears repeating that Hamas is an evil terrorist organization that cynically exploits civilians and has little to no regard for life - even the lives of other Palestinians. Research shows that terrorist organizations have rarely been dismantled through military force. Precisely because Hamas is such a threat, we must approach defeating them with a rational, evidence-based approach.

Research by RAND shows that terrorist groups end through targeted intelligence operations or through a negotiated political settlement. In fact, I fear that the war in Gaza will act as a recruitment tool for Hamas and will create a new generation of fighters who will seek revenge. After over a year of fighting, Hamas is weakened but has not been eliminated nor have the remaining Israeli hostages been released.

The last time hostages were released was in November 2023, and they gained their freedom as a result of diplomatic negotiations. What is urgently needed to bring an end to this brutal war is a diplomatic solution.

Both the Israeli government and Hamas must agree to end the fighting, release the remaining hostages, and flood the Gaza Strip with desperately needed food and medical supplies. It is in Israel’s security interests to have a stable neighbor in a Palestinian state.

Civil society has broken down completely in Gaza and the territory urgently needs a peacekeeping force to help restore order. This force - ideally composed of Arab states - will play a critical role now and in post-war Gaza. Hamas cannot remain in power and the people of Gaza deserve new political leadership that will prioritize peace as they establish a new government. Ideally, that government will be a reformed Palestinian Authority empowered to govern both in the West Bank and in Gaza.

The ultimate goal for all parties must be a lasting peace. That can only be reached through a two-state solution.

We have the opportunity to change the trajectory of the lives of children like Malek Al Kafarna. 

In 10 years, he’ll be 24. The choices we make in the coming weeks and months, can either leave Malek desperate and hopeless - a prime candidate for recruitment for Hamas. Or we can give him and the more than one million children living in Gaza the opportunity to grow up in a world that has prioritized peace and security.

We must work towards ending this war and building a positive future for both Palestinians and Israelis.