(NewsNation) — As Israel faces mounting pressure to reach a cease-fire deal with Hamas, Rep. Madeleine Dean says the United States has a responsibility to ensure the war in Gaza is being prosecuted “justly.”
“I support Israel unquestionably, but we have an obligation to question if a war is not being prosecuted in accordance with international law,” the Pennsylvania Democrat said Sunday on “The Hill Sunday.”
She’s been to Israel since the war began after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel and said she’ll be in her seat if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks in front of the U.S. Congress. House Speaker Mike Johnson has said Netanyahu would soon address a joint session, but Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer hasn’t said if he’ll co-sign.
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 ordered Israel on Friday to immediately halt its military offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, but stopped short of ordering a cease-fire for the enclave. Although Israel is unlikely to comply with the order, it will ratchet up the pressure on the increasingly isolated country.
Criticism of Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza has been growing, particularly since it turned its focus to Rafah. This week alone, three European countries announced they would recognize a Palestinian state, and the chief prosecutor for another international court requested arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, along with Hamas officials.
A hostage deal has remained elusive as Israel and Hamas continue to disagree on the terms of a cease-fire. Israel has vowed to continue fighting until Hamas is completely eliminated in Gaza, though militants have begun to regroup in the northern part of the territory that Israel first invaded months ago.
Dean said the hostages must remain top of mind for negotiators and world leaders.
“I can’t understand how the world hasn’t come down on Hamas and demanded the return of the hostages,” she said. “We have to do everything, the world must do everything in its power to make sure the hostages are brought home.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to send weapons to Israel despite ramping up criticism of Netanyahu. Dean recently called on President Joe Biden to withhold the sale of weapons if Israel continues its Rafah offensive.
“An all-out assault there would be a very bad outcome, and it would not do the hostages any good and it would not do the ending of Hamas any good. It will only fuel more hatred against Israel,” Dean said. “So, the United States, President Biden and all of us have a role to play to try to impress upon Mr. Netanyahu to prosecute this war more justly.”
The Associated Press and NewsNation digital producer Urja Sinha contributed to this report.