Research on the Israeli Army’s Practices in Gaza
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz has recently published a controversial investigative report, which alleges that the Israeli army is “systematically” using civilians as human shields in the Gaza Strip, with the knowledge of Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi’s office and senior officers.
According to the information in the news, the statements of some soldiers and commanders in the Israeli army make this situation even more striking. In particular, it is stated that Palestinian youths who are detained in the Gaza Strip without any reasonable cause are used as human shields by Israeli soldiers during searches of homes and tunnels.
According to the testimonies, young Palestinian men, usually in their 20s, are forced to wear Israeli military uniforms and are sent into buildings and tunnels with their hands tied behind their backs. However, the fear and anxiety on their faces and the sneakers they wear make it clear that they are Palestinians. It is emphasized that the detained Palestinians are used as human shields by Israeli army units during operations and that they search the buildings and tunnels before the units.
The report included the following statements from some unnamed Israeli soldiers:
“(In the army) They told us that our lives (Palestinians) are more important than their lives, that it is better for them (Palestinians) to be blown up with an explosive than for our soldiers to die.”
These claims have sparked a huge debate among international human rights organizations and the public. The Israeli government denies such practices and maintains that its military strictly adheres to its ethical code.
