Israeli officer accused of using elderly Palestinian as human shield in Gaza operation: Report - War on Gaza

Al-Ahram Weekly

17-02-2025

A senior Israeli military officer from the Nahal Brigade has been accused of tying an explosive cord around the neck of an 80-year-old Palestinian man and exploiting him as a human shield during a military operation in Gaza's Zeitoun, according to a report by the Israeli investigative platform The Hottest Place in Hell.
The 80-year-old man, who was found with his wife in one of the houses cleared by Israeli forces, had no choice but to remain at home. He was reportedly coerced into leading Israeli soldiers through houses in the neighbourhood while moving with a cane. The soldiers tied a detonating fuse around his neck, connecting it to an initiating detonator as a leash to prevent him from escaping.
One of the soldiers was quoted as saying: 'Even though he walks with a cane, they explained to him that if he did something wrong or not as we wanted, the person behind him would pull the rope, and his head would be severed from his body.'
After hours of forced activity, the man was returned home and ordered, along with his wife, to evacuate the area. However, shortly after leaving their house, both were shot dead by Israeli forces. The soldiers did not inform troops stationed in the nearby sector that an elderly couple was about to cross the zone on foot.
The incident has sparked outrage and raised questions about the Israeli military's adherence to international law, which prohibits the use of civilians as human shields.
Mosquito procedure
According to testimonies from soldiers involved in the operation, the use of the elderly man as a human shield was part of a controversial military tactic known as the 'mosquito procedure.'
This practice, previously documented in reports by Haaretz and The Hottest Place in Hell, involves forcing Palestinian civilians to perform dangerous tasks, such as entering buildings ahead of soldiers to check for explosives or armed fighters.
Soldiers described the incident as an extreme application of this procedure.
Denial from Israeli army
The Israeli army has denied the routine use of the Mosquito Procedure, stating that its directives prohibit the use of civilians in military operations that endanger their lives.
In response to the report, an Israeli army spokesperson said: "An investigation based on the information provided in the request indicates that the case is unknown. As additional details are received, further investigation will be conducted."
The spokesperson added: "Israeli army directives and orders prohibit the use of Gazan civilians captured in the field for military missions that pose a deliberate risk to their lives. Israeli army directives and orders on the subject have been clarified to the forces."
However, testimonies from soldiers suggest that the practice is widespread and often sanctioned at the battalion level despite official denials from higher command. "This is a procedure that has become standard practice in the army," one soldier told The Hottest Place in Hell.
The use of human shields is a violation of international humanitarian law and has been explicitly banned by the Israeli High Court of Justice since the Second Intifada. Nevertheless, reports of its continued use in Gaza persist, with soldiers claiming that the practice is often concealed or downplayed by military authorities.
Broader implications
The incident has drawn attention to the ethical and legal challenges faced by Israeli soldiers operating in Gaza, where the dense urban environment and the presence of civilians complicate military operations.
Critics argue that tactics such as the Mosquito Procedure not only violate international law but also undermine Israel's moral standing and expose soldiers to potential legal repercussions.
"As a soldier, you cannot influence or change the situation, yet you are guilty because you did it. Even when investigations take place, there is no chance that the IDF (Army) will admit this is standard procedure. But if you ask any fighter who served in Gaza, no one will tell you it doesn't happen. There is no regular battalion that can claim it has never used this practice," read the report.
The report has reignited debates over accountability and transparency within the Israeli army, prompting calls for a thorough and independent investigation into the incident. Human rights organizations have urged the international community to take note of the allegations and ensure that violations of international law are addressed.
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