John Block, a House Representative from New Mexico, expressed his views on the release of Israeli hostages. He described the event as moving, condemned the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and called for the return of all captives and an end to the ongoing conflict. Block's statement was made on X.
"Seeing the living Israeli hostages being released has been deeply emotional for me," said JOHN BLOCK, New Mexico State Representative for 51st District (R). "Now, seeing the hostages return home brings tears of gratitude — and a reminder of what real evil looks like. Israel has a right to exist. The hostages must all come home."
In October 2025, Israel and Hamas reached a cease-fire agreement brokered by the United States. This agreement included a phased release of hostages and the return of bodies taken during the attacks on October 7, 2023. According to Reuters, Israel began a partial troop withdrawal from Gaza as Hamas initiated the release of captives under a 72-hour timetable.
By mid-October 2025, approximately 20 living Israeli hostages had been freed and eight bodies returned under this deal. The Associated Press reported that officials said dozens more remained in Gaza. It was noted that roughly 251 people were abducted on October 7, 2023, with over 50 confirmed dead or unrecovered.
The terror attacks on October 7, 2023, resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths. This included about 130 fatalities at Kibbutz Be’eri and 378 at the Nova Music Festival. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that militants also abducted around 250 individuals during one of Israel’s deadliest single-day events.
Block is a Republican member of the New Mexico House of Representatives for District 51 and has been serving since January 2023. Ballotpedia notes that he previously worked as editor of The Piñon Post, a conservative outlet. His political focus includes energy development, tax reduction, and opposition to abortion.
