RELEASE: 600 Days After October 7, Gottheimer Leads Bipartisan Push Urging President Trump to Help Free Remaining Hostages — Including Four Remaining Americans

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, May 29, 2025, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) led a bipartisan letter to President Donald Trump urging him to build on the momentum of Edan Alexander’s recent release and to use every available diplomatic tool to help secure the release of release of all remaining hostages still held by Hamas — including the remains of Americans Omer Neutra, Itay Chen, Gadi Haggai, and Judi Weinstein Haggai.

President Trump entered office pledging to bring the remaining American hostages home. On October 7, the deadliest attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust, Hamas terrorists brutally murdered, raped, burned alive, decapitated, and kidnapped more than a thousand innocent people, including babies, children, women, men, and elderly. Among the victims were more than 40 Americans killed and 12 taken hostage. 

“Building on the momentum of Edan’s release, we strongly urge your Administration to press forward with all available diplomatic efforts to secure the return of all hostages—including the four remaining Americans: Omer Neutra, Itay Chen, Gadi Haggai, and Judi Weinstein Haggai,” the Members wrote in a letter to President Trump. “We urge you to continue using every diplomatic tool available, in close coordination with our regional allies and partners, to press for the release of all hostages. Edan’s return has brought renewed hope to the nation—and to the close-knit community of Tenafly, New Jersey. Now, we must act swiftly to ensure that hope is realized for every hostage and every waiting community.”

Members who signed the letter include: Gabe Amo (RI-1), Jake Auchincloss (MA-4), Don Bacon (NE-2), Herb Conaway (NJ-3), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Laura Gillen (NY-4), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), French Hill (AR-2), Val Hoyle (OR-4), Tom Kean (NJ-7), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Young Kim (CA-40), Greg Landsman (OH-1), Seth Moulton (MA-6), Frank Pallone (NJ-6), Chris Pappas (NH-1), Maria Salazar (FL-27), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Kim Schrier (WA-8), Greg Stanton (AZ-4), Tom Suozzi (NY-3), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Jeff Van Drew (NJ-2), Juan Vargas (CA-52), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).

Full text of the letter sent to President Trump can be found here and below:

Dear President Trump,

We write today to recognize your Administration, the previous Administration, and all others who contributed to hostage negotiations since October 7, 2023, for their efforts in securing the release of Edan Alexander, an American citizen from Tenafly, New Jersey, who was held hostage in Gaza for 584 days following the horrific terrorist attacks on Israel. His return is a profound relief to his family, his community in Tenafly, and to our nation as a whole.

During his captivity, Edan endured severe physical abuse, malnutrition, and psychological torment. His experience is a sobering reminder of the brutal conditions still faced by the hostages who remain in Gaza. Building on the momentum of Edan’s release, we strongly urge your Administration to press forward with all available diplomatic efforts to secure the return of all hostages—including the four remaining Americans: Omer Neutra, Itay Chen, Gadi Haggai, and Judi Weinstein Haggai.

While Edan’s return marks a critical breakthrough, the suffering he endured underscores the urgency of this mission. Those still in captivity continue to face unimaginable hardship, and we owe it to them and their families to do everything in our power to secure their release. This moment—coming in the wake of Edan’s homecoming—offers a window of opportunity.

We urge you to continue using every diplomatic tool available, in close coordination with our regional allies and partners, to press for the release of all hostages. Edan’s return has brought renewed hope to the nation—and to the close-knit community of Tenafly, New Jersey. Now, we must act swiftly to ensure that hope is realized for every hostage and every waiting community.

Sincerely,

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

###