We urgently call upon President Biden and his administration, as well as the United States Congress to immediately prioritize the safe return of all American citizens and humanitarian aid workers currently trapped in besieged Gaza. 

There are currently 500 to 600 American citizens stranded in besieged Gaza. Among the hundreds of American citizens trapped in Gaza are humanitarian aid workers Ramona Okumura (WA), a prosthetic technician who works with child amputees, and Dr. Barbara Zind (CO). The Americans are under constant bombardment and facing limited access to the most basic necessities, including clean water and food. The two aid workers were on what should have been a routine medical mission but have now been trapped in this dangerous war zone and humanitarian nightmare for over a week.

At the outset of the conflict, the Okumura and Zind family and other American citizens in Gaza have repeatedly tried to secure a route out of Gaza to no avail. After receiving notice from the IDF to evacuate northern Gaza in 24 hours, they traveled south. On Friday, October 13 and again on Monday, October 16, their families along with other American citizens received information from the State Department that if they wanted to leave Gaza they should make their way to the Rafah crossing for an opportunity to evacuate to Egypt. Yet, not a single American citizen was permitted to leave in both instances, and since then, the Biden Administration has not secured a temporary ceasefire or committed to assisting in the evacuation of any American citizens. Okumura and Zind are running out of time and cannot continue traveling to and from the crossing on false hopes. 

The family and other American citizens now have no information about a viable evacuation plan out of Gaza. As the situation grows more and more dire with each passing hour, the family and other American citizens feel abandoned and disregarded by the Biden Administration and much of the U.S. government. Their plea is for urgent action to be taken to secure safe passage for American citizens from Gaza. 

We implore the Biden Administration and all US government officials to act swiftly and decisively. Americans must be brought home safely. We cannot allow them to be used as pawns in foreign conflicts. Time is of the essence. Bring our fellow Americans home now.