Strengthening Tools to Counter the Use of Human Shields Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5917, the Strengthening Tools to Counter the Use of Human Shields Act, and I thank my colleagues, Representative Gallagher and Representative Sherman, for introducing this legislation.

As we all know, Hamas regularly uses people as human shields, hiding behind them and thereby endangering innocent Palestinian civilians. We have seen this clearly in the months since October 7, but this behavior is not new. It is and has been the de facto policy of Hamas for many years.

Hamas has operated from under, inside, and adjacent to hospitals, schools, and other civilian structures. Within civilian buildings, they have stored weapons caches and ammunition, built miles of tunnels underground, and launched attacks from behind women and children.

When Israel instructed families in Gaza to flee to the south for safety, Hamas demanded people stay in Gaza City, to remain in place, saying that it was beneficial to their strategy.

Hamas does not care for the Palestinian people. They never have. They never will. Hamas only means to exploit them as human shields.

This behavior of hiding behind noncombatants is a clear violation of international law and has been an unconscionable contributor to the deaths of too many innocent Palestinian people.

This measure, H.R. 5917, amends the Sanctioning the Use of Civilians as Defenseless Shields Act, adding additional terrorist entities, bolstering congressional oversight and reporting requirements, and extending its sunset provision.

This legislation will renew and strengthen existing law, and I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure.

Mr. Speaker, Hamas has not only shown complete disregard for the Palestinian people. It has also used them as human shields as an intentional war tactic. It is unconscionable and in clear violation of international law, contributing to the deaths of innocent noncombatants.

This measure updates and extends the Sanctioning the Use of Civilians as Defenseless Shields Act by adding additional terrorist entities, bolstering congressional oversight and reporting requirements, and extending its sunset provisions.

The strengthening of this existing statute is timely, important, and necessary, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 5917.

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