Israeli soldiers and Palestinian former detainees say troops have regularly forced captured Gazans to carry out life-threatening tasks, including inside Hamas tunnels.

An investigation by The New York Times found that Israeli soldiers and intelligence agents, throughout the war in Gaza, have regularly forced captured Palestinians . . . to conduct life-threatening reconnaissance missions to avoid putting Israeli soldiers at risk on the battlefield.

While the extent and scale of such operations are unknown, the practice, illegal under both Israeli and international law, has been used by at least 11 squads in five cities in Gaza, often with the involvement of officers from Israeli intelligence agencies.

Palestinian detainees have been coerced to explore places in Gaza where the Israeli military believes that Hamas militants have prepared an ambush or a booby trap. The practice has gradually become more widespread since the start of the war last October.

Detainees have been forced to scout and film inside tunnel networks where soldiers believed fighters were still hiding. They have entered buildings rigged with mines to find hidden explosives. They have been told to pick up or move objects like generators and water tanks that Israeli soldiers feared concealed tunnel entrances or booby traps.

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    • napoleonsdumbcousin@feddit.org
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      16 days ago

      If a terrorist organisation lays booby traps, then it is fine to force civilians or prisoners to walk into them, is that what you want to say?

    • WhatAmLemmy@lemmy.world
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      16 days ago

      Infested

      Using words that frame everyone you disagree with as insects is sure to make you sound rational and not at all pro-genocide…

      • technocrit@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        16 days ago

        Zionism is a form of fascism. This type of casual, widespread, dehumanizing language underscores that point.

    • OccamsTeapot@lemmy.world
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      16 days ago

      Booby trapping civilian areas* is really bad because it puts innocent civilians at risk. Now, you’ve already written two comments on this but not one condemning the use of civilians as literal human shields. So you’re welcome to do so any time now…

      *Tunnels are fair game imo, not intended for civilians, but anyway