“Israeli troops are systematically forcing Palestinians to act as human shields in Gaza … nearly every platoon used a Palestinian to clear locations.”
Soldiers said the practice “spared combat dogs from injury or death.”
AP News · Israel's use of human shields in Gaza is widespread, sources saySeveral Palestinians and Israeli soldiers say troops are systematically forcing Palestinians to act as human shields in Gaza, sending them into buildings and tunnels to check for bombs and gunmen. They say the practice has become ubiquitous over 19 months of war. Israel’s military says it prohibits using civilians as shields, a practice it's long accused Hamas of using. It says it’s investigating a handful of cases but wouldn’t give details. Seven Palestinians described to The Associated Press being used as shields in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. One said he was beaten, bound and blindfolded. Two Israeli solders also described using human shields and that derogatory terms like mosquito were used to refer to the Palestinians.