Hamas Decries U.S. Bill Sanctioning ‘Human Shields’ Practice

Hamas is condemning a U.S. bill that sanctions the Islamic terrorist 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 said 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.”

Last month, the U.S. designated Hamas’ leader Ismail Haniyeh as a “global terrorist.”

Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC), who introduced the bill, said of the passage, “The world must face the threat of Hamas terrorists, as they continue to perpetrate atrocities against civilians and use them as human shields. I am grateful that the House of Representatives took a stand today against this murderous terrorist group, and am hopeful that the Senate will pass H.R. 3542 quickly. I believe this legislation will help ensure the lives of innocent Palestinian civilians are spared by proactively imposing strong sanctions against Hamas.”