Washington—Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) released the following statement on the deaths of two hostages held by al Qaeda:

“I’m deeply saddened by the announcement that a U.S. counterterrorism operation in January killed two hostages held by al Qaeda, including Warren Weinstein and Giovanni Lo Porto. Both Warren and Giovanni led selfless lives, helping men, women and children around the world. They serve as role models for us all, and my thoughts and prayers are with their families.

“The role of the Senate Intelligence Committee is to conduct extensive oversight of counterterrorism operations, and these efforts will continue. The committee has already been reviewing the specific January operation that led to these deaths, and I now intend to review that operation in greater detail. We should also again review all procedures and safeguards to make sure every measure is taken to prevent the deaths of innocent civilians.

“I agree with the president that, to the greatest extent possible, more information on U.S. counterterrorism operations should be made public. I believe this should include an annual report on the number of deaths—both combatant and civilian—from U.S. strikes. We must be certain our counterterrorism strategy is aimed at defeating terrorist organizations and that counterterrorism operations, which I believe to be highly successful at removing individual terrorist targets, are furthering that goal.”

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