Congress Urges Biden to Hold Terror Group Accountable
Rep. Mike Gallagher and President Joe Biden (Getty Images)
The Biden administration is facing bipartisan concerns in Congress over its failure to enforce U.S. sanctions on Hamas’s use of human shields. This Iran-backed terror group is using civilians as a shield against Israeli military attacks, putting innocent lives at risk.
As Israel’s war on Hamas enters its second month, it has become evident that the terror group is deliberately endangering civilians to maximize casualties, which is a clear violation of U.S. law prohibiting the use of human shields.
A bipartisan group of 22 congressmen has expressed disappointment in the Biden administration’s lack of action, stating that no sanctions have been imposed on Hamas in accordance with the law. In a letter obtained by the Washington Free Beacon, the group urges the administration to swiftly impose and enforce appropriate sanctions on Hamas for its ongoing use of human shields.
This letter follows a bipartisan bill aimed at strengthening and expanding U.S. sanctions on any terror group that employs human shields in combat. The bill, first reported by the Free Beacon in October, seeks to increase pressure on the Biden administration to fully enforce sanctions on Hamas and its Iranian-backed ally Hezbollah in Lebanon. Despite mounting evidence of Hamas’s reliance on human shields as a key part of its terrorism strategy, the Biden administration has yet to sanction these terror groups.
Reps. Mike Gallagher (R., Wis.) and Brad Sherman (D., Calif.) led the letter, emphasizing the need to impose sanctions on Hamas and Hezbollah leaders for their use of human shields. Such sanctions would send a clear message that the U.S. government condemns the use of human shields and encourage other countries to take similar measures against this war crime.
The Biden administration, including President Biden himself, has repeatedly condemned Hamas for intentionally endangering civilians by using hospitals and schools as bases for their terrorist operations.
A Hamas “hostage-taking manual recovered by the Israel Defense Forces” during recent operations revealed explicit instructions for using live hostages as human shields. The lawmakers argue that imposing sanctions on Hamas and Hezbollah would demonstrate to the world that these war crimes will not be tolerated.
“Spotlighting, condemning, and imposing sanctions on specific Hamas officials for their involvement in using human shields would send a message to officials of Hamas, Hezbollah, the Taliban, the Islamic State, Russia, and other prolific users of human shields that there is now a price to be paid for engaging in this horrific war crime,” the lawmakers write.
In 2018, Congress passed the Sanctioning the Use of Civilians as Defenseless Shields Act, a response to the use of human shields by terror groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. The law requires the president to annually submit a list of individuals involved in using human shields and impose sanctions on them. The current version of the bill, still under consideration, aims to strengthen and expand these sanctions, putting more pressure on the Biden administration to take action.
How can the international community coordinate efforts to crackdown on the use of human shields by Hamas and other terrorist groups
The concern over Hamas’s use of human shields is not a new issue. It has been a long-standing tactic employed by the group to shield their operations and installations from Israeli attacks. This despicable tactic not only endangers innocent civilians but also undermines the ability of the international community to hold Hamas accountable for its actions.
The bipartisan group of congressmen argues that by failing to enforce U.S. sanctions on Hamas, the Biden administration is sending a dangerous message that the use of human shields will not be met with consequences. This not only weakens the deterrence against such tactics but also undermines the credibility and effectiveness of U.S. sanctions policy as a whole.
In their letter, the congressmen call on President Biden to take immediate action and impose sanctions on Hamas in accordance with existing U.S. law. They highlight the need for robust enforcement measures that target not only the terror group itself but also any individuals, entities, or states that provide support or assistance to Hamas.
Furthermore, the congressmen underline the importance of engaging with U.S. allies and partners to coordinate efforts in cracking down on the use of human shields. They stress the need for international unity and collective action to address this issue effectively.
The congressmen’s call for action is supported by the broader concerns within Congress about the Biden administration’s overall approach to dealing with terrorism and its sponsors. There are growing concerns about the administration’s hesitancy in holding Iran accountable for its support of Hezbollah and other terrorist groups.
By holding Hamas accountable for its use of human shields, the United States can send a strong message that such tactics will not be tolerated and that there will be consequences for those who employ them. It will also demonstrate the U.S. commitment to protecting innocent lives and upholding international laws and norms.
As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, it is crucial for the Biden administration to take immediate action and enforce sanctions on Hamas for its use of human shields. The international community should stand firm in condemning this tactic and supporting efforts to deter its use. Only through concerted and decisive action can we ensure the protection of innocent lives and the promotion of peace and stability in the region.
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