Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) today was relieved by the news that some American doctors trapped in Gaza have been evacuated into Israel, where they will be able to travel back to the United States. The group includes Passaic County Doctor, Ghada Abukuwaik.

“Our prayers have been answered: It is with a huge sigh of relief that learned Dr. Abukuwaik and her colleagues have been safely evacuated to Israel and will soon be able to return home to America,” said Congressman Pascrell. “Since we learned of Dr. Abukuwaik’s situation, we have been working closely with the U.S. State Department and the Israeli government to secure her safe passage home. The doctors were in Gaza to protect and preserve life and we pushed our government to move heaven and earth to get them home. I appreciate the assistance from our State Department and the Israeli Ambassador. Thankfully these dedicated and caring individuals are heading home soon.”

Earlier this week on May 15, Congressman Pascrell wrote to the Israeli Ambassador to the United States to discuss the situation and urge the Israeli government to do all it could to remove the doctors from harms way. Those efforts are now successful.

Congressman Pascrell has been calling for a ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas for months.