denying -- shalit hostage. denying him access to his families, access to competent medical personnel, as well as representatives of the international committee of the red cross. hamas has forced young shalit to appear in audio recordings, in video recordings used to put pressure on israel and has mocked shalit, has mocked his family and captivity in plays and cartoons and animated movies. reports indicate that gilad shalit's health has declined as a result of this -- his captivity. madam speaker, hamas is violent, extremist group. hezbollah, and their state sponsors not only are at war with israel, they seek the destruction of the united states as well. ahmadinejad himself has spoken off quote, a world without america or zionism, end quote, stating that, quote, you should know that this slogan, this goal can certainly be achieved, end quote. and the iranian reggme is no stranger to taking hostages, including the 52 american hostages that tehran held captive for 444 days. so when we consider hamas' holding of gi

resolution 1359, resolution calling for the immediate and unconditional release of israeli soldier ga lad shalit held captive by hamas and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: he question is will the house suspend the rules and agree to the resolution as amended. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the resolution is agreed to and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. without objection, the title is amended. the unfinished business is the vote on the motion of the gentleman from california, r. costa, to suspend the rules and agree to house resolution 1457 on which the yeas and nays are orderrd. the clerk will report the title of the resolution. the clerk: house resolution 1457, resolution expressing the sense of the house of representatives on the one-year anniversary of the government of iran's fraudulent manipulation of iranian elections, the government of iran's continued denial of human rights and democracy to the people of iran, and the gove

concrete steps towards the -- principles on conditional release upper -- un conditional release of gilad shalit. is clear more than ever that the only long-term and sustainable solution to the conflict that has spawned these tragic events is a two-stage solution that achieves a viable palestinian state living alongside a secure israel, with the right to live in peace and security recognized by all of her neighbors. the proximity talks, the underway are more important than ever. these events should not undermine peace talks, but instead, underline jin importa -- underline just how important they are. the government will continue to keep the house informed of developments. >> david miliband. >> thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, i said in the queen's speech debate last week that a policy of a ignoringgaza in the searchaza for peace will not work. the blockade is a barrier to any hope of peace at all. the attack by the israeli defense forces is the latest in a series of a self-defeating and deadly moves by successive israeli governments in gaza. on this side of the house, we joined the internati