An Israeli officer revealed that Palestinians are often used as “human shields” in the Gaza Strip, and the rank officials in the Israeli army do not prevent it despite knowing. The Israeli officer, who referred to human shields as ‘Sergeant’, stated, “Today, every unit has a sergeant, and no soldier enters a house until that sergeant evacuates it.”

An Israeli officer who wished to remain anonymous stated to Haaretz newspaper, “I was almost drowning when I learned that the Israeli military police had only opened 6 investigations into Palestinians being used as human shields.” The Israeli soldier mentioned, “At least 6 human shield incidents were daily occurrences in Gaza. If the relevant authorities wanted to do their job seriously, they would have to open at least 2,190 investigations.” Regarding the investigations opened, the Israeli officer stated, “We are trying to inform the world and ourselves that we are investigating.”

Having spent 9 months in Gaza and witnessed new practices, the Israeli soldier expressed, “The worst of these was the mosquito procedure. Innocent Palestinians were forced to enter homes in Gaza, clean them, and make sure that there were no armed individuals or explosives inside.” The Israeli officer mentioned, “I first learned about the mosquito procedure in December 2023, two months after Israel’s ground invasion of Gaza; at that time, I did not realize how widespread it was.”

S.E. Calio, who referred to Palestinians being used as human shields, noted, “Israeli soldiers refer to Palestinians used as human shields as ‘Sergeants’. Today, each unit has a sergeant, and no soldier enters a house until that sergeant evacuates it. This means that there are at least 4 sergeants in each platoon, 12 in a battalion, and 36 in a brigade.” The Israeli soldier remarked, “We have a ‘slave’ class, and they (Israeli officials) are trying to escape punishment by conducting 6 investigations.”

“NO ONE TRIED TO STOP THIS” Regarding the use of Palestinians as human shields, the Israeli soldier stated, “The top ranks of the army have been aware of the existence of human shields for over a year, and no one tried to stop it. It was even defined as an ‘operational necessity’.” Pointing to the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Israeli soldier said, “We have every reason to worry about The Hague. Because this procedure is a crime. It’s a crime that is more widespread than what the army even admits and tells the public.”

ICC ISSUED ARREST WARRANT FOR NETANYAHU The ICC had issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza. The court also rejected Israel’s objections to the ICC’s jurisdiction, ruling that it has jurisdiction over crimes committed in Palestinian territories.

2 MILLION PALESTINIANS DISPLACED From October 7, 2023, until the ceasefire declared on January 19, Israeli attacks on Gaza resulted in the deaths of over 61,000 Palestinians, including 14,000 who disappeared under the rubble, and the displacement of 2 million people. Hospitals, homes, and schools where displaced Palestinians sought refuge were targeted, leading to the destruction of 88% of Gaza’s infrastructure.