Israeli army uses Palestinian prisoners as human shields in Gaza: Video
The footage shows detainees in Gaza being forced into tunnels or buildings to ensure they are not rigged to blow
New footage obtained by Al Jazeera on 30 June documents the Israeli army’s use of Palestinian civilians as human shields in the Gaza Strip.
The footage obtained by the outlet is made up of several videos. Prisoners are seen dressed in Israeli army uniforms, equipped with body cams, and are forced to enter buildings or tunnels to ensure they are not rigged with explosives.
In the first video, two Palestinians are forced to enter the wreckage of a home to search for a tunnel entrance. The prisoners are shown reporting back to the soldiers that only dirt and concrete were found.
Another video shows a prisoner being forced to enter a tunnel attached to a wire held by Israeli soldiers above ground.
“Guys, the army are using me as a lure,” the prisoner calls out, hoping resistance fighters hear him and know not to open fire.
A third video shows an injured prisoner without his clothes on, being forced to enter a building with a drone accompanying him to make sure the building is not rigged or that there are no fighters within it.
Israeli soldiers have long used Palestinian prisoners as human shields in the occupied West Bank as well as the Gaza Strip.
Late last month, video footage circulating social media showed a Palestinian detainee tied to the front of an Israeli military jeep during a raid in the occupied West Bank.
Since the beginning of the Israeli ground invasion in Gaza, Israel has abducted thousands of Palestinian civilians, including women, children, and medical and rescue workers.
While some have been released, many still remain in captivity. Those released usually bear signs of torture and extreme conditions inside Israeli detention centersand offer chilling testimonies.
Haaretz reported on 18 June that a senior doctor from Gaza was tortured to death in November while under interrogation by the Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service.