Israel acknowledges using Palestinians 'to check booby-trapped houses, Hamas-built tunnels'
What's the story
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has launched an investigation into claims that its soldiers may have used Palestinian civilians as human shields during their military operations in Gaza, CNN reported. This is the first instance when IDF has admitted "reasonable suspicion" of such actions. The military is looking into cases where soldiers had forced civilians to enter potentially dangerous areas, like booby-trapped houses and tunnels, for their own safety.
Investigation details
Ongoing investigations into civilian involvement in military operations
The IDF confirmed that its Military Police Criminal Investigation Division has launched probes after reasonable suspicion that Palestinians were used for military missions during operations. However, the number of ongoing investigations or those under scrutiny was not disclosed by the military. "Those investigations are still ongoing, and accordingly, other details cannot be provided at this time," said the IDF.
Soldier's confession
Allegations of forced civilian involvement in Israeli military operations
In a 2024 interview with CNN, an Israeli soldier confessed his unit had forced a Palestinian man to enter a building before the troops. The soldier justified the practice, saying, "If there are any booby traps, they will explode and not us." Such a method was apparently so common in the Israeli military that it had a name: "mosquito protocol." The scale of this practice within the Israeli military is still unclear.
Civilian testimonies
Civilians recount experiences of forced involvement in military operations
However, testimonies from civilians indicated its widespread use across multiple areas: northern Gaza, Khan Younis, Gaza City and Rafah. "They would ask us to do things like, 'move this carpet,' saying they were looking for tunnels," 20-year-old civilian Mohammad Saad recounted his experience to CNN. Another civilian hiding out with his family was detained for roughly 10 days, during which time he was used as a human shield. He was later released without any charge.
Official statement
IDF denies allegations of using detained civilians for military operations
After the report surfaced, IDF denied wrongdoing at the time. Responding to CNN's report last year, IDF said its military protocols "strictly prohibit the use of detained Gaza civilians for military operations." It also said that it was examining the conduct of its soldiers after an investigation by The New York Times found that Israeli soldiers and intelligence agents regularly forced captured Palestinians to conduct life-threatening reconnaissance missions.