Allegations Mount Over Use of Palestinians as Human Shields Amid Ongoing Conflict

 Multiple eyewitness accounts gathered by the Associated Press (AP) indicate that Israeli forces have allegedly engaged in a systematic practice of using Palestinian civilians as human shields in Gaza, compelling them to enter buildings and tunnels suspected of housing explosives or militants. These claims span across the 19-month-long conflict and have been corroborated by both Palestinian civilians and former Israeli military personnel.

In its investigation, the AP interviewed seven Palestinians—residents of Gaza and the occupied West Bank—who reported being forced into dangerous military zones by Israeli troops. Two Israeli soldiers also admitted to participating in such actions, which are explicitly prohibited under international humanitarian law.

In response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reiterated that the use of human shields is strictly forbidden under its code of conduct. A military spokesperson told AP that the coercion of civilians in any form is barred and that these prohibitions are consistently reinforced within the ranks. The IDF added that it is currently reviewing several specific allegations but declined to share further details or comment on whether the practice is officially sanctioned or widespread.

The Israeli government has long accused Hamas of employing similar tactics in Gaza, maintaining that such actions endanger civilians and complicate Israel’s efforts to minimize collateral damage during military operations. Officials continue to attribute the high Palestinian casualty figures—now numbering in the tens of thousands—to Hamas’s embedding of military assets in civilian areas.

Human rights organisations, however, contend that the Israeli military has a documented history of using Palestinian civilians as shields, both in Gaza and the West Bank. Although Israel’s Supreme Court outlawed the practice in 2005, watchdog groups say violations persist and appear to have intensified in the current war.

Legal experts and conflict analysts say the scale and visibility of these recent incidents mark a troubling resurgence of the tactic, drawing heightened international scrutiny.

Other Key Developments:

• Humanitarian Aid: The Israeli army reported that 83 trucks carrying humanitarian supplies—including food, medicine, and medical equipment—entered Gaza on Friday through the Kerem Shalom Crossing following security inspections.
  
  
• UN Appeals for Increased Support: The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) issued another urgent call for greater humanitarian access, stating that the limited supplies currently allowed into Gaza are "nowhere near sufficient" to address the population’s dire needs.
  
  
• Guterres Condemns Escalation: UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the current phase of the war as “the cruellest yet,” amid reports that food trucks were looted following a partial lifting of the long-standing blockade.
  
  
• Civilian Casualties Mount: Gaza’s civil defence agency reported at least six deaths on Saturday following a fresh wave of Israeli airstrikes. Spokesperson Mahmud Bassal confirmed the casualties, noting that rescue teams continue to operate under extreme conditions.
  
  
• Security Concerns in the U.S.: In Washington, over 40 Jewish organisations jointly submitted an urgent appeal to the U.S. government following a deadly shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday, according to reporting by Haaretz.

As the humanitarian crisis deepens and questions grow over battlefield conduct, international pressure is mounting for greater transparency and accountability from all parties involved in the conflict.