Global InformationUse of human shields by Hamas information
Israel has accused Hamas of using human shields in the Gaza Strip, saying that Hamas has purposely attempted to shield itself from Israeli attacks by storing weapons in civilian infrastructure, launching rockets from residential areas, and telling residents to ignore Israeli warnings to flee. Israel has also accused Hamas of maintaining command and control bunkers and tunnel infrastructure below hospitals. Critics have questioned whether the mere proximity of Hamas militants to civilians constitutes "human shields" given that IDF headquarters are in the middle of Tel Aviv and other IDF military bases are located near residential areas.[1][2]
Hamas has denied using hospitals to shield any command center,[3] while it has previously made remarks expressing support for Palestinians refusing to flee areas Israel has targeted.[4] According to a paper published by NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, the strategic use of human shields by groups like Hamas hinges on exploiting Israel's aim to minimize civilian casualties and the sensitivity of Western public opinion. This tactic allows Hamas to either accuse Israel of war crimes if civilian casualties occur or to protect its assets and continue operations if the IDF limits its military response. This approach is an example of 'lawfare', using legal and public platforms to challenge an adversary.[5][6] Israel has said that Hamas's actions have been responsible for civilian casualties in Gaza.[7][8] Human rights groups have said that “even if Hamas were using human shields”, Israel must still abide by international law to protect civilians.[9][10]
Amnesty International investigated claims made by Israel in the 2008–2009 Gaza War and the 2014 Gaza War that Hamas employed human shields, but found no evidence of such usage. In their report on the 2008-2009 war, Amnesty said that "contrary to repeated allegations by Israeli officials" that it had found no evidence of Hamas directing civilians to shield military assets or that it had forced civilians to remain in or near buildings used by fighters. Amnesty found that Hamas has launched rockets from near civilian locations, which it said endangered civilians and amounted to a violation of the requirement that Hamas take all necessary precautions to protect civilians from military action, but that this does not constitute shielding under international law.[2] In 2014, Amnesty said, regarding repeated allegations by Israel of Hamas using civilians as human shields, that it "does not have evidence at this point that Palestinian civilians have been intentionally used by Hamas or Palestinian armed groups during the current hostilities to 'shield' specific locations or military personnel or equipment from Israeli attacks." They also said that Hamas urging residents to ignore Israeli warnings to evacuate “are not the same as directing specific civilians to remain in their homes as ‘human shields’ for fighters, munitions, or military equipment.”[9] Human Rights Watch also said they found no evidence that Hamas had used human shields in the 2009 conflict.[11]
The Israeli accusations have been supported by NATO,[12] and during the 2023 Israel–Hamas war EU nations condemned Hamas for using hospitals as human shields, while the UN Secretary General said "Hamas and other militants use civilians as human shields".[13][14] In 2023, HRW stated "Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups need to take all feasible precautions to protect civilians under their control from the effects of attacks and not use civilians as 'human shields.'"[15]
- ^ Gordon & Perugini 2020, pp. 165–166.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
:02was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Marsi, Federica (13 November 2023). "What is a 'human shield' and why is Israel using the term in Gaza?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ Worrall, Patrick (24 July 2014). "Does Hamas use civilians as human shields?". Channel 4 News. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023.
- ^ "Hamas' use of human shields in Gaza" (PDF). NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence.
- ^ James Pamment, Vladimir Sazonov, Francesca Granelli, Sean Aday, Māris Andžāns, Una Bērziņa-Čerenkova, John-Paul Gravelines, Mils Hills, Irene Martinez-Sanchez, Mariita Mattiisen, Holger Molder, Yeganeh Morakabati, Aurel Sari, Gregory Simons, Jonathan Terra, Hybrid Threats: Hamas' use of human shields in Gaza Nato Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, 5 June 2019 pp.147–169, 152
- ^ Walsh, Declan (16 May 2021). "Israel and Hamas Fighting Raises Questions about War Crimes". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ Lieblich, Eliav (18 May 2021). "Dispatch from Israel on Human Shields: What I Should've Said to a Dad on the Playground". Just Security. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ a b "Israel/Gaza conflict: Questions and Answers". Amnesty International. 25 July 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ "Protect civilians from the impact of hostilities", B'tselem, 27 October 2023
- ^ Abrahams, Fred (13 August 2009). "White Flag Deaths". Human Rights Watch. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ "Hamas' use of human shields in Gaza" (PDF). NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence.
- ^ "Secretary-General's press conference on the Middle East | United Nations Secretary-General". www.un.org. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ "EU nations condemn Hamas for what they describe as use of hospitals, civilians as 'human shields'". AP News. 13 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ "Gaza: Unlawful Israeli Hospital Strikes Worsen Health Crisis". Human Rights Watch. 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.