ICYMI: Hamas decries US bill sanctioning 'human shields' practice
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Hamas decries Wilson bill sanctioning 'human shields' practice
Legislation Introduced by Wilson, Moulton Holds Hamas Accountable For Violating Human Rights
"Hamas is condemning a U.S. bill that sanctions the Islamic militant group for using civilians in Gaza as ‘human shields.' The House unanimously passed the Hamas Human Shields Prevention Act on Wednesday. Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum says Thursday that the bill sides with ‘the Israeli narrative.' The bill steps up U.S. pressure against Hamas, which Washington and much of the West already considers a terrorist organization. As such the bill would not add any additional sanctions on the group. Echoing Israeli complaints, the bill says Hamas routinely instructs Palestinians not to flee from Israeli airstrikes, forcing them to act as ‘human shields.' Hamas wrested control of Gaza from Western-backed Palestinian Authority in 2007. Last month, the U.S. designated Hamas' leader Ismail Haniyeh as a "global terrorist." (Associated Press, "Hamas decries U.S. bill sanctioning ‘human shields' practice, 2/15/2018) LINK:http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/hamas-decries-us-bill-sanctioning-human-shields-practice-53111053
Background: The Hamas Human Shields Prevention Act – introduced by Congressman Joe Wilson and Congressman Seth Moulton – sanctions Hamas for violating human rights standards by using civilians as human shields. For far too long, Hamas has taken shelter and launched offensives against Israel from civilian areas- including schools, hospitals, and mosques. Their actions knowingly and carelessly put innocent lives at risk and are a gross violation of human rights and international law. Last June, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) discovered Hamas tunnels under two of its schools in Gaza, demonstrating how they knowingly integrate terrorist operations with children, in civilian areas.
You can find the press release from after the House unanimously passed H.R. 3542 here: media-center/press-releases/rep-joe-wilsons-legislation-sanctioning-hamas-passes-house-unanimously