WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) led the introduction of a bipartisan resolution calling for the immediate and unconditional surrender of Hamas and condemning Hamas’ use of human shields in their brutal attacks on innocent Israelis. He was joined by Congressman Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), Congressman Mike Gallagher (WI-08), Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32), Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02), and Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05). The resolution is supported by the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies Action.
“I am proud to lead, alongside my colleagues Representatives Moskowitz, Gallagher, and Sherman this bipartisan condemnation of Hamas' use of human shields. It is crucial that Congress denounces and demands an end to these horrific acts,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “Our resolution demonstrates an unequivocal opposition to Hamas’ blatant contravention of humanitarian law and complete disregard for the rights and dignity of civilian non-combatants."
“Countless innocent lives have been lost as Hamas has sacrificed them to be human shields and shot them if they didn’t stay in place," said Congressman Moskowitz. "Hamas wants as many dead civilians as possible to blame Israel and use for their propaganda. We not only have to remove Hamas for the safety of Israel, but we have to remove Hamas to get them away from the innocent Palestinians whose well-being they couldn’t care less about.”
“Hamas continues to use innocent hostages and civilians as human shields as a way to slow Israel’s advance and attempt to build international pressure against Israel’s right to self-defense," said Congressman Gallagher. "Congress should be unified in condemning this reprehensible tactic and work to hold Hamas accountable for this behavior by not only passing this bipartisan resolution, but by also passing the Strengthening Tools to Counter the Use of Human Shields Act to ensure that sanctions are imposed and enforced against Hamas terrorists for this barbaric practice."
“Hamas’ use of human shields is another barbaric act of evil from a terrorist organization that murdered, kidnapped, and tortured Israelis,” said Congressman Bacon. “Hamas has demonstrated their depravity by their willingness to use innocent civilians as human shields - placing military weaponry and headquarters in hospitals, schools, and neighborhoods. I denounce this practice in the strongest possible terms, and urge everyone who cares about human rights to join us in our condemnation of Hamas.”
“After Hamas attacked Israel and brutally murdered, raped, burned alive, decapitated, and kidnapped more than 1,200 innocent civilians, including Americans, these terrorists continue to use Palestinian civilians as human shields, a cowardly practice that puts innocent lives at risk. Hamas stores weapons, launches rockets, and houses themselves in schools, hospitals, mosques, and homes,” said Congressman Gottheimer. “Terrorists in Gaza still hold hostage more than 160 babies, children, men, women, and elderly, including Americans. Hamas has waged indiscriminate terror and bears responsibility for thousands of Palestinian civilian deaths in Gaza.”
“After Hamas’ brutal October 7 massacre of innocent Israeli men, women, and children, it is vital that the terrorist organization be permanently and verifiably dismantled," said FDD Action. "The United States must support all efforts to deny, degrade, and dismantle Hamas’ terrorist operations and infrastructure. FDD Action endorses this critical resolution, which calls for the immediate and unconditional surrender of Hamas and all other Iran-backed terrorist groups responsible for the October 7 massacre.”
Read the text of the resolution HERE.
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