Boston (November 2, 2023) - Today, U.S. Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released the following statement regarding Wafaa Abuzayda and Abood Okal of Medway and their one-year-old son Yousef, who have left Gaza and begun the journey back to the United States:

“After weeks of public and private advocacy, we are relieved that Abood, Wafaa, and Yousef have begun their journey home to Medway. We repeatedly urged the White House, U.S. State Department, and the Egyptian and Israeli governments to do everything possible to help American citizens reach safety, including this Medway family. Their story was seen and heard by thousands of people praying for their safety, and President Biden made clear that securing safe passage for American citizens is a top priority. We will continue pushing to accelerate humanitarian assistance for civilians in Gaza and supporting American citizens, including our Massachusetts constituents, who seek to leave Israel and Gaza to immediately return home.” 

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