Christian Smith
(NewsNation) – As Israel faces increasing pressure to reach a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, Representative Madeleine Dean says the United States has a responsibility to ensure the war in Gaza is conducted “fairly.”
“I support Israel unquestionably, but we have an obligation to question whether a war is not being conducted in accordance with international law,” the Pennsylvania Democrat said Sunday on “The Hill Sunday.”
She has been in Israel since the start of the war, following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, and has said she will be in her place if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks before the US Congress. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Netanyahu would speak soon at a joint session, but Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer did not say whether he would sign the agreement.
Some, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, say it would be inappropriate.
“I want to hear from the Israeli prime minister,” Dean said.
The United Nations’ top court on Friday ordered Israel to immediately suspend its military offensive on the city of Rafah, in southern Gaza, but stopped short of ordering a ceasefire for the enclave. While Israel is unlikely to comply with the order, it will increase pressure on the increasingly isolated country.
Criticism of Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza has been growing, especially since it turned to Rafah. Just this week, three European countries announced they would recognize a Palestinian state, and the chief prosecutor of another international court requested arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, along with Hamas officials.
A hostage deal remains elusive as Israel and Hamas continue to disagree over the terms of a ceasefire. Israel has vowed to continue fighting until Hamas is completely eliminated in Gaza, although the militants have begun to regroup in the northern part of the territory that Israel first invaded months ago.
Dean said the hostages must remain on the minds of negotiators and world leaders.
“I cannot understand how the world did not turn against Hamas and demand the return of the hostages,” she said. “We must do everything, the world must do everything in its power to ensure that the hostages are brought home.”
Meanwhile, the US continues to send weapons to Israel, despite growing criticism of Netanyahu. Dean recently called on President Joe Biden to suspend arms sales if Israel continues its offensive in Rafah.
“An all-out attack would have a very bad result, it would do no good to the hostages and it would do no good to the end of Hamas. This will only fuel more hatred against Israel,” Dean said. “So the United States, President Biden and all of us have a role to play in trying to convince Mr. Netanyahu to prosecute this war more fairly.”
Associated Press and NewsNation digital producer Urja Sinha contributed to this report.
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