TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Ayman Abu Hamadan, a 36-year-old Palestinian man, alleged that he was used as a human shield by Israeli soldiers during a 2 1/2-week detention last summer in northern Gaza. He described how he was forced into houses in the Gaza Strip, dressed in army fatigues with a camera attached to his forehead, to ensure they were clear of bombs and militants. He reported being beaten and threatened with death if he refused to comply with the soldiers' orders. Abu Hamadan stated that he was passed from one unit to another, highlighting the systemic nature of this dangerous practice among Israeli military operations.
According to testimonies from several Palestinians and Israeli soldiers, the Israeli military is reportedly forcing Palestinians to act as human shields, sending them into potentially dangerous locations including houses and tunnels. An anonymous Israeli officer indicated that the use of human shields has become common, particularly during the 19 months of ongoing war in the region. The Israeli military has denied these allegations, asserting a strict prohibition against the use of civilians as shields, a practice it claims Hamas routinely engages in.
In response to the allegations, the Israeli military communicated that it is investigating several claims regarding the coercion of civilians into military operations but did not provide specifics on the extent of the practice or any orders from commanding officers. Human rights groups have raised significant concerns, suggesting the issue is widespread and describing it as a failure of moral integrity within the Israeli military.
Abu Hamadan recounted how he was taken from his family and detained in August, fulfilling a "special mission" to search for tunnels and clear buildings over 17 days. He described each night spent bound and held in darkness, only to repeat the grueling search in the morning. Rights organizations state that the use of Palestinians as human shields dates back decades, although the Supreme Court officially outlawed the practice in 2005. However, reports of violations have persisted, with experts noting that the current war has seen the practice gain unprecedented visibility.
Earlier soldiers noted that the commanders were aware of this practice and seemed to tolerate it. Allegations that Palestinians were referred to derogatory terms and that the practice was efficient for military operations were shared among two soldiers who spoke with the AP. They indicated that this practice became widespread shortly after the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023, following a significant attack by Hamas.
One Israeli officer suggested that utilizing human shields accelerated military operations, saving resources and reducing the risk to combat dogs. Furthermore, he documented instances of Palestinian casualties that arose due to miscommunication, underscoring the perilous nature of using civilians in military operations. Notably, one soldier expressed witnessing their unit attempt to refuse this practice but under pressure from higher-ranking officers, ultimately complied.
Masoud Abu Saeed, a 36-year-old who was also used as a human shield in March 2024, shared his fears about not returning to his children while being forced to search various structures. His encounter with his brother, who was similarly being used by another unit, highlighted the emotional toll of these incidents.
Reports of Palestinians being forced to act as human shields have also emerged from the West Bank, where Hazar Estity recounted her experience of being taken from her home in Jenin and made to film inside residences. She described her desperation to return to her young son amidst the threats she faced from soldiers.
