Israeli Forces Used 80-Year-Old Palestinian as Human Shield in Gaza

An investigation reveals that Israeli soldiers forced an 80-year-old Palestinian man to serve as a human shield in Gaza by tying an explosive cord around his neck and threatening to detonate it if he disobeyed. This incident, which occurred in May in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City, involved the elderly man scouting homes for booby traps while his wife was detained. After eight hours of being used in this manner, the couple was ordered to flee, but they were shot dead by another Israeli battalion shortly thereafter. The practice of using civilians as human shields, referred to as the 'Mosquito Procedure,' has been condemned as a war crime. Eyewitness testimonies indicate that the elderly couple had pleaded with soldiers to allow them to stay in their home due to their frailty. The investigation highlights serious concerns regarding the treatment of Palestinian civilians during military operations in Gaza.