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Source: https://usun.state.gov/remarks/8409
Haley: Hamas Uses Palestinian Civilians as Human Shields
(U.S. Mission to the UN) U.S. UN Ambassador Nikki Haley told the Security Council on Thursday: "A week ago today, the European Parliament passed a resolution condemning Hamas for its use of human shields. We were pleased to see this action. It's difficult to think of a more cowardly act - even for a terrorist - than hiding behind innocent civilians. The use of human shields deliberately advantages those with no regard for human life, and disadvantages those who seek to minimize civilian casualties." "Hamas has exploited and endangered the very Palestinian people it claims to represent by locating rocket launchers near schools, apartment buildings, hotels, churches, and UN facilities....The use of civilians to intentionally shield otherwise lawful military targets from attack is a war crime." "Iran is the patron and protector of many of these groups that fight from behind the bodies of innocent civilians. Groups that Iran has sponsored or supported have perfected the tactic of using human shields....This is part of Iran's overarching efforts to destabilize the region - efforts that include illegal weapons shipments to Yemen, and invading Israeli air space with armed drones from Syrian territory."