Trenton - Last week marked 600 days since the Israeli festival of Simhat Torah was interrupted by the terrorist attack from Gaza on October 7th, 2023. The invaders, led by the Iranian-backed Hamas organization, murdered over 1200 innocent people and took 250 hostages, including Edan Alexander of Tenafly (released in May 2025). Hamas continues to hold 58 hostages in Gaza (24 presumed alive), including the remains of four murdered Americans.

“After 20 months of horror, nothing matters more than bringing the hostages home,” said Karin Elkis, Co-Chair of the NJ Israel Commission. “Hamas launched this war on October 7th, and each day that they hold our friends and neighbors hostage, subjecting them to the worst torture imaginable, prolongs suffering for millions of innocents on both sides of the border. We unequivocally support Israel in their efforts to retrieve the kidnapped, neutralize the terrorists, and restore stability to the region.”

“To this day, Hamas continues to hold dozens of hostages in inhumane conditions with no apparent strategic objective," said Mark Levenson, Co-Chair of the NJ Israel Commission. “The moral imperative to bring home the kidnapped, destroy Hamas, and isolate and punish its patrons is clear.”

For 600 days, the hostages have had no communication with their families, the Israeli government, or any foreign observers.

About the New Jersey Israel Commission:
The New Jersey-Israel Commission, which operates within the New Jersey Department of State, was established in 1989 to promote the development of trade, culture and educational exchanges; encourage the development of capital investment and joint business ventures; and foster a spirit of cooperation between the citizens of the State of Israel and the State of New Jersey. New Jersey-Israel trade in goods accounted for approximately $1.7 billion annually, and thousands of jobs for New Jersey residents.