Imagine being forced into danger while others watch from behind. That's what happened to Ramez al-Skafi, a 30-year-old Palestinian from northern Gaza. After his home was destroyed, he was separated from his family and detained by Israeli forces. But his ordeal didn't end there. For over 10 days in July, Ramez says he was forced to act as a \"human shield\" for the Israeli military against hidden explosives and Hamas fighters. 😱
\"I tried to resist, but they started beating me,\" Ramez recounted. \"The officer told me it wasn't my choice and that I had to do whatever they wanted.\" He describes being coerced into entering homes and tunnels ahead of Israeli soldiers, risking his life every step of the way.
Ramez's story aligns with footage published by Al Jazeera, showing a prisoner tied with a rope and sent into a tunnel with a camera strapped to him. 🎥📹
Reports from Israeli newspaper Haaretz reveal that this isn't an isolated incident. Palestinians were allegedly used for reconnaissance missions, forced to clear potentially booby-trapped sites in Israeli military uniforms. Soldiers reportedly called them \"shawish,\" an Arabic term meaning \"sergeant.\"
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) deny these allegations, stating that using civilians in combat is strictly prohibited by their rules. They've forwarded the claims for further review. International laws, like the Geneva Conventions, also forbid using civilians as human shields.
But testimonies from Ramez and others paint a different picture. He said he was made to carry small drones into houses to film the interiors. \"After I finished filming and left, they would enter and start destroying it,\" he said.
Other Palestinians shared similar experiences. One said Israeli soldiers installed a GPS tracker on him and threatened to shoot if he tried to escape. 😥
International media outlets like CNN and The New York Times have reported on these activities, citing both IDF soldiers and former detainees. One soldier told CNN that his commander said, \"It's better that the Palestinian will explode and not our soldiers.\"
Human rights groups say these accounts highlight a serious issue. Back in 2010, two IDF sergeants were demoted for forcing a nine-year-old Palestinian boy to open suspected explosive bags during an operation. The problem seems to persist despite official prohibitions.
This ongoing situation raises tough questions about the rules of war and the protection of civilians. It's a grim reminder of the human cost of conflict. 💔
Reference(s):
Israeli army reportedly uses Palestinians as 'human shields' in Gaza
cgtn.com
