At a State Department commemoration Wednesday of the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, families of American victims of the massacre demanded justice for their slain relatives.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio was reportedly directly involved in planning the event, which was supposed to take place on Sept. 30 but was postponed until Oct. 14. At least 46 American citizens were murdered on Oct. 7 or were taken into captivity in Gaza.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and head of U.S. Central Command Adm. Brad Cooper attended the event.

The cousin of Carmela Dan, who was killed on Oct. 7 alongside her granddaughter Noya, addressed the attendees.

“October 7 was not only a tragedy for Israel,” said Abbey Onn. “Nearly 50 American citizens were murdered, and dozens more were injured. These were our loved ones, people with families who loved them and futures that were stolen from them. We are here to make sure their stories are heard, their memories are honored, and those responsible for their murders are brought to justice.”

Ruby Chen, father of Itay Chen, who was killed during the massacre, also spoke at the event. He had previously said that he had pushed the administration to commemorate Oct. 7.

Chen said that his son chose to join the IDF instead of going to college.

“He enlisted in the IDF, because he believed that some things are worth standing guard over. He became a tank soldier and on Oct 7 was protecting the Gaza border,” the bereaved father said.

“This recognition, here in Washington, in the shadow of October 7, tells our families something we needed to hear: Your loved ones were Americans. The United States remembers them,” he told the families in attendance.

“This must be a beginning, and not an end,” Chen declared. “The families of Americans killed by Hamas deserve justice, accountability, and the continued support of their government.”

“It is time for the United States Congress to create its own investigation committee,” he said, adding that anyone who helped finance the Oct. 7 attack “must be brought to the United States to stand trial for their crimes against American citizens.”