Israel has often been accused of using Palestinians as human shields in violation of international law. In the past, the United States has received evidence that this is happening.
- Case under analysis: UN investigates Israel over alleged human rights violations against Palestinian prisoners of war
Two former U.S. officials told Reuters that the United States learned that the Israeli military was discussing Palestinians being sent into tunnels in Gaza that may be packed with explosives.
The officials said the information was shared with the White House in the final weeks of former President Joe Biden’s administration and analyzed by the intelligence community.
Documents document Israel’s use of Palestinians as human shields in Gaza and the West Bank. According to a report published by Reuters on Wednesday, the United States has collected its own evidence in connection with the issue.
International law prohibits the use of civilians as human shields during military operations. Nevertheless, Israeli authorities are under investigation for allegedly breaking rules and using Palestinians as human shields.
In publishing the report, the news agency stressed that the Israeli military “prohibits the use of civilians as human shields or any kind of coercion to participate in military operations.” They added that the military police’s criminal investigation division was investigating “alleged involvement of Palestinians in military operations.”
An Associated Press report in May cited seven Palestinian victims of violence.
Al Jazeera also reviewed footage from June last year of Israeli soldiers tying injured Palestinian Mujahed Azmi to a military vehicle during an attack in the occupied West Bank. At the time, the Israeli military said those involved had violated protocol.
Between Tuesday and Wednesday, Israel was accused of abuses against Palestinians before the United Nations Committee against Torture. “The Committee was deeply appalled by the description of what appears to be systematic and widespread acts of torture and ill-treatment inflicted on Palestinians (…),” Rapporteur Peter Wedel-Kessing said in Geneva.
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