H.Res.839 - Condemning Hamas for assassinating innocent Palestinians
H.Res 839 was introduced on October 28, 2025 by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5). It is currently pending before the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Related legislation:
Bill Summary: H.Res 839 condemns Hamas for assassinating innocent Palestinians and reaffirms the United States’ commitment to supporting implementation of the October 10, 2025 ceasefire agreement and advancing stability and peace for civilians in Gaza. It finds that since the ceasefire took effect, Hamas has carried out a campaign of executions and intimidation to suppress dissent and reassert control over Gaza, resulting in the deaths of scores of civilians. The resolution also notes that Hamas is designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the United States.
Context: H.Res. 839 appropriately distinguishes between Hamas and the Palestinian people by condemning Hamas for killing Palestinian civilians. Hamas has been involved with conducting extra judicial killings of Palestinians they have accused of collaborating with Israel. These killings were filmed as Hamas executed blindfolded men in the middle of a neighborhood. However, H.Res 839 fails to acknowledge or condemn the over 67,160 Palestinians killed by the State of Israel, including an estimated 55,742 civilians based on Israeli military data from May 2025. Since the ceasefire, an Israeli bombing killed more than 100 Palestinians, including 46 children, and Israeli forces have shot multiple Palestinians attempting to cross the “yellow line” barring them from returning to their homes.
By condemning Hamas while remaining silent on Israeli killings of civilians, the resolution presents a one-sided account of violence that undermines U.S. moral and diplomatic credibility. Selective accountability reinforces the perception that the United States applies human rights standards unevenly, thereby weakening its ability to serve as a credible mediator for peace.
American Values Analysis: H.Res 839 appears to be in line with the American value harbored by the US armed forces to protect civilians because it is the moral and ethical thing to do. However, by failing to condemn the killing of civilians by the Israeli military, the resolution falls short of the very moral standard it invokes. True adherence to American values requires applying the same ethical and legal standards to all actors, state and non-state alike, when innocent civilians are harmed.
American Interest Analysis: H.Res 839 is in line with America’s interest for a ceasefire in Gaza, to end the killing, and begin rebuilding for whoever remains of the 2.1 million Palestinian following the desolation of Gaza. In condemning Hamas without condemning Israel, H.Res 839 does not apply mutual accountability for the killing of innocent Palestinians. It continues a double standard where a non-state actor and FTO is held to a higher standard for human rights and accountability than a State and receiver of billions of dollars in American weaponry in Israel.
A New Policy’s Recommendation: NEEDS AMENDMENT
A New Policy recommends H.Res 839 for an amendment that condemns Israel's killing of civilians in Gaza. As a nation-state and major recipient of U.S. security assistance, Israel must be held to the same or higher standard of accountability as any foreign terrorist organization. Only through consistent application of human rights principles can U.S. policy reflect its professed values and interests, and contribute credibly to a lasting peace for the Palestinian people.
For more information please contact: Josh Paul, (202) 770-0055, info@anewpolicy.org
