Report: Palestinian Used as 'Human Shield' Killed by Israeli Commander
Israeli media reported this week that an Israeli commander allegedly killed a Palestinian who had been used as a "human shield" during military operations in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. The Palestinian man had been forced to search buildings.
Facts
- Israeli media reported this week that an Israeli commander allegedly killed a Palestinian who had been used as a "human shield" during military operations in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. The Palestinian man had been forced to search buildings.[1][2]
- The practices have reportedly been commonplace in Gaza, with Israeli forces using local Palestinians to enter buildings and tunnels before Israeli troops follow. The military has not denied that the practice has occurred but has said that it is prohibited.[1]
- In this case, the commander was part of the Nahal Brigade and did not realize that the Palestinian he killed was authorized to be near Israeli forces. Israeli authorities confirmed the incident and said that they would launch an internal investigation.[1][3][4]
- In June 2024, a video emerged of an injured Palestinian tied to an Israeli military vehicle during a raid in the northern West Bank town of Wadi Burqin. The military said that the incident would be investigated.[1][5]
- Israel has accused Hamas of using Palestinians as human shields, namely by building tunnel networks under civilian neighborhoods. Hamas has denied the allegation.[1][6]
Sources: [1]Al Jazeera, [2]Haaretz, [3]The Times of Israel, [4]Archive, [5]BBC News and [6]CNN.
Narratives
- Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by FOX News and CNN. Israeli forces must immediately investigate these incidents of using Palestinians as human shields, as the practice is illegal under international law. Unlike its enemies, Israel works to investigate violations committed by its forces in good faith.
- Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Al Jazeera and Middle East Monitor. Israel has been using Palestinians as human shields as part of an unofficial yet systematic policy for decades. Talk of "investigations" is pointless, as said investigations almost never result in anything meaningful. This case only adds to the pile of evidence that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
