Congress aims to sanction Hamas’ use of human shields following their recent strike. However, the legislation is currently on hold until a new Speaker is elected.
Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Sanction Hamas for Use of Human Shields
House lawmakers on Tuesday unveiled a groundbreaking bipartisan initiative to hold the Iran-backed terror group Hamas accountable for its use of human shields. However, due to the ongoing search for a new speaker in the Republican-controlled chamber, this critical legislation is currently on hold.
The bill, led by Representatives Mike Gallagher (R., Wis.) and Brad Sherman (D., Calif.), marks the first congressional attempt to address Hamas’s recent attack on Israeli citizens. It aims to expand the White House’s authority to impose sanctions on top Hamas leaders, as well as individuals associated with Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah, another Iranian-backed terror group operating in Lebanon. You can find a copy of the measure here.
Delay in Action
Although the bipartisan bill is expected to garner widespread support, it cannot proceed in the House until a new speaker is chosen. This delay will postpone any action on one of the first legislative measures aimed at combating Middle East terror groups following Hamas’s devastating attack on Israel, which resulted in numerous casualties. The bill specifically targets Hamas’s strategy of using civilians as shields, a reprehensible tactic that endangers innocent lives.
“The horrific Hamas attacks on Israel demonstrate that groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Palestine Islamic Jihad have always been dedicated to destroying Israel and combating American interests in the Middle East,” said Gallagher, a member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. ”Of all the malign activities of these groups, few are more reprehensible or dangerous than their use of civilians as human shields.”
This legislation builds upon a 2018 measure, also championed by Gallagher, which authorized broad sanctions on terror groups employing human shields. However, the Biden administration has not fully enforced that law, prompting Gallagher and his colleagues to propose an enhanced version.
Key Provisions
The new measure extends the duration of sanctions on these groups from 2023 to 2030 and grants Congress the power to compel the administration to impose economic penalties on leaders and supporters of these terror organizations. Additionally, it mandates that the president provide written justification for any decision to waive sanctions or bypass their implementation.
“By reforming the [2018] Sanctioning the Use of Civilians as Defenseless Shields Act and giving Congress a greater role in ensuring these critical sanctions are implemented, this bipartisan legislation sends a clear signal that the United States will severely punish this behavior,” emphasized Gallagher.
The bill specifically addresses Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel, highlighting the group’s use of hostages as human shields. It also condemns Hamas’s practice of hiding rocket launchers and weapons caches in densely populated areas of the Gaza Strip, deliberately putting civilians at risk of unintentional harm by Israeli forces.
“Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other groups that cynically exploit civilians as human shields are responsible for the deaths of countless Israelis and Palestinian civilians alike,” stated Sherman. He added that the bill will ensure “that the United States will hold terrorists accountable for their use of this disgraceful tactic.”
What impact can sanctions have on terrorist organizations like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad?
E groups, Hamas is perhaps the most egregious in its use of human shields. This legislation provides the necessary tools and authority for the United States to hold Hamas accountable for its actions.”
The delay in choosing a new speaker is a result of internal disputes within the Republican Party. As lawmakers navigate this process, critical legislation such as the bill to sanction Hamas for its use of human shields is left in limbo. This delay only hampers the ability of the United States to take effective measures against terrorism in the region.
An Urgent Need for Action
The recent attack by Hamas on Israeli citizens has once again highlighted the urgent need for decisive action against terrorist organizations. Hamas’s use of human shields is not only a violation of international law but also a deeply immoral and unjust tactic. It puts innocent lives at risk and undermines any hope for peaceful resolution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
By introducing this legislation, Representative Gallagher and Sherman have taken a crucial step towards holding Hamas accountable for its actions. The bill expands the authority of the White House to impose sanctions on top Hamas leaders and those associated with other Iranian-backed terror groups.
Sanctions can serve as a powerful tool in pressuring terrorist organizations to change their tactics and behavior. By targeting the financial network and assets of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the United States can disrupt their operations and weaken their ability to carry out attacks.
Conclusion
The bipartisan legislation introduced by Representatives Gallagher and Sherman represents a significant step towards addressing the dangerous use of human shields by Hamas and other Iranian-backed terror groups. It is crucial for the United States to take effective action against these organizations to protect innocent lives and promote stability in the Middle East.
As lawmakers continue the process of selecting a new speaker, it is imperative that they prioritize this important legislation. Delaying action only allows terrorist organizations to continue their reprehensible tactics without consequence.
The United States must remain steadfast in its commitment to combating terrorism and promoting peace in the Middle East. The bill to sanction Hamas for its use of human shields is a vital component of this effort and should be swiftly and decisively advanced in the House.
It is through the collective efforts of lawmakers from both sides of the aisle that we can send a clear message to terrorist organizations that their actions will not go unpunished. By strengthening the authority to impose sanctions, we can diminish the influence and capabilities of these groups, ultimately making the world a safer place.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
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