As the Israel-Hamas war rages on with its mounting death toll, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) stressed the need for a continued strong alliance between the United States and Israel as Iranian-backed terrorism threatens the region and Israel remains devastated by the “heinous” acts of Hamas.

During a Dec. 21 virtual press conference held just hours after returning from a mission to Israel with members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Gottheimer said he met with hostage families, Israeli political and intelligence leaders and first responders caring for Israeli terrorism victims.

“Obviously none of us can forget what happened on Oct. 7,” he said. “More than 1,200 innocent men, women, children and elderly were heinously murdered, raped, burned alive and tortured. More than 100 are still being held hostage by Hamas terrorists.”

Among those slaughtered by Hamas were 40 American citizens, while eight Americans remain in captivity, said Gottheimer, who had been shown footage taken by Hamas terrorists of their brutal attack.

One of those remaining Americans is Edan Alexander, a 2022 graduate of Tenafly High School who volunteered to serve in the IDF and was taken near the Gaza border. Upon landing the previous day Gottheimer had “an incredibly painful” meeting with Alexander’s aunt, who lives in Tel Aviv, and other hostage families.

During the trip Gottheimer met with “high level” Israeli intelligence officials, Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, the director of Mossad and Shin Bet officials, as well as American intelligence leaders. They spoke of the “unprecedented challenges” Israel will continue to face, including threats by Hamas of a” second, third and fourth” attack. Much of the intelligence briefing was classified, but Gottheimer said the focus was on bringing the hostages home.

As he walked the streets of Tel Aviv, he could see that focus on full display, with signs for kidnapping victims, and shirts and posters everywhere.

“We also discussed the gruesome sexual violence against Israeli men, women and children,” said Gottheimer. “I know that’s been talked about but not enough in my opinion.”

Meetings also centered on the role the Qataris, who Gottheimer said he believed have “the power and responsibility to get more hostages freed and should be acting faster,” since there is a Hamas presence in Qatar and they have a relationship with the group.

Gottheimer said in every meeting held with the Israelis he stressed the importance of avoiding civilian deaths and increasing aid to Palestinian civilians and was taken through the steps Israel is employing to prevent as many civilian casualties as possible.

In addition to the disregard for the lives of innocent Israelis, Gottheimer stressed Hamas has “made it clear” the United Nations and not them are responsible for the lives of 75 % of Palestinians.

The American delegation saw footage of Hamas activity in tunnels “literally abutting “ U.N. buildings and hospitals.

Gottheimer called President Joe Biden “a key partner” in the fight with Hamas and that support was recognized by all officials the group met with, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“There should be no equivocation about Hamas,” which was designated by the United States in 1997 as a terrorist organization, said Gottheimer. “They’re terrorists. There should be no question about that. They’ve killed Americans and hostages.” Anybody who saw the video of the barbarous, heinous and unthinkable acts of Oct. 7 knows what Hamas is capable of.”

The alliance against Hamas is critically important to American interests as both wage a fight against terrorism by such players as Palestinian Jihad, Hezbollah, ISIS, Boka Horam, the Houthis and other Iranian-backed proxies, particularly in the Middle East, said Gottheimer, adding it “is one of the reasons our alliance with Israel is so critically important.”

The continued threat posed by Iran in the region has been evidenced by attacks against American positions in recent months in Iraq and Syria. Attacks by the Houthis out of Yemen against ships in the Red Sea threaten the world’s commerce.

“Israel’s problem is the world’s problem,” noted Gottheimer. ”With Teheran’s support the Houthis have the ability to wreak havoc on the world’s supply chain and economy as well as Israel’s economy.”

The maze of tunnels employed by Hamas and the disregard of the terrorists for conventional rules of engagement, using civilians as human shields was also discussed at length. With that thought in mind, Gaza’s future once the fighting ends was also brought up, including ending the radicalization in schools, the role of other Arab nations in the region and maintaining security in Gaza.

One thing, said Gottheimer, was made clear: “Leaving Hamas in control and able to hide in their maze of tunnels and launch attacks on Israel as they have promised and use Palestinian civilians as human shields is unacceptable. The fact that it’s in their charter to call for the destruction of Israel and the Jewish people tells you everything you need to know given their objectives why they can’t be left in the region to lead.”