Latest news with #CeasefireNow
South Wales Guardian
24-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Israeli use of Palestinian human shields in Gaza is widespread, detainees say
They claimed the practice has become ubiquitous over 19 months of war. Israel's military responded by saying it prohibits using civilians as shields, a practice it has long accused Hamas of using. Chiefs say they are investigating a handful of cases, but would not provide any details. Seven Palestinians described to The Associated Press being used as shields in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. One said he was beaten, bound and blindfolded. Two Israeli solders also described using human shields, and that derogatory terms like 'mosquito' were used to refer to the Palestinians. One Palestinian man, Ayman Abu Hamadan, told the Associated Press that when he was detained in northern Gaza last year, the only time he was not bound or blindfolded was when he was used by Israeli soldiers as their human shield. Dressed in army fatigues with a camera fixed to his forehead, the 36-year-old was forced into houses in the Gaza Strip to make sure they were clear of bombs and gunmen, he said. When one unit finished with him, he was passed to the next. 'They beat me and told me: 'You have no other option; do this or we'll kill you,'' he said, describing the two and a half weeks he was held last summer by the Israeli military in northern Gaza. One Israeli officer said that orders often came from the top, and at times nearly every platoon used a Palestinian to clear locations. Several Palestinians and soldiers told the AP that Israeli troops are systematically forcing Palestinians to act as human shields in Gaza, sending them into buildings and tunnels to check for explosives or militants. The dangerous practice has become ubiquitous during 19 months of war, they said. The Israeli military has long accused Hamas of using human shields in Gaza. Israeli officials blame the militants for the civilian death toll in its offensive that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians. In a statement to the AP, the military said it also bans otherwise coercing civilians to participate in operations, and 'all such orders are routinely emphasised to the forces'. The AP spoke with seven Palestinians who described being used as shields in Gaza and the occupied West Bank and with two members of Israel's military who said they engaged in the practice, which is prohibited by international law. Rights groups have warned that this has become standard procedure in the war. 'These are not isolated accounts; they point to a systemic failure and a horrifying moral collapse,' said Nadav Weiman, executive director of Breaking the Silence – a whistleblower group of former Israeli soldiers that has collected testimonies about the practice from within the military. Children in #Gaza want to be just that: children#CeasefireNow — UNRWA (@UNRWA) May 24, 2025 'Israel rightly condemns Hamas for using civilians as human shields, but our own soldiers describe doing the very same.' Mr Abu Hamadan said he was detained in August after being separated from his family, and soldiers told him he'd help with a 'special mission'. He was forced, for 17 days, to search houses and inspect every hole in the ground for tunnels, he said. Soldiers stood behind him and, once it was clear, entered the buildings to damage or destroy them, he said. He spent each night bound in a dark room, only to wake up and do it again. Rights groups say Israel has used Palestinians as shields in Gaza and the West Bank for decades. Experts say this war is the first time in decades that the practice – and the debate around it – has been so widespread. The two Israeli soldiers who spoke to the AP – and a third who provided testimony to Breaking the Silence – said commanders were aware of the use of human shields and tolerated it, with some giving orders to do so. Some said it was referred to as the 'mosquito protocol', and that Palestinians were also referred to as 'wasps' and other dehumanising terms. The soldiers – who said they are no longer serving in Gaza – said the practice sped up operations, saved ammunition, and spared combat dogs from injury or death. The soldiers said they first became aware human shields were being used shortly after the war erupted on October 7 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, and that it became widespread by the middle of 2024. Orders to 'bring a mosquito' often came via radio, they said – shorthand everyone understood. Soldiers acted on commanding officers' orders, according to the officer who spoke to the AP. He said that by the end of his nine months in Gaza, every infantry unit used a Palestinian to clear houses before entering. 'Once this idea was initiated, it caught on like fire in a field,' the 26-year-old said. 'People saw how effective and easy it was.' One report documented the accidental killing of a Palestinian, he said – troops did not realise another unit was using him as a shield and shot him as he ran into a house. The officer recommended the Palestinians should be dressed in army clothes to avoid misidentification. He said he knew of at least one other Palestinian who died while he was used as a shield, having passed out in a tunnel.
North Wales Chronicle
24-05-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Israeli use of Palestinian human shields in Gaza is widespread, detainees say
They claimed the practice has become ubiquitous over 19 months of war. Israel's military responded by saying it prohibits using civilians as shields, a practice it has long accused Hamas of using. Chiefs say they are investigating a handful of cases, but would not provide any details. Seven Palestinians described to The Associated Press being used as shields in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. One said he was beaten, bound and blindfolded. Two Israeli solders also described using human shields, and that derogatory terms like 'mosquito' were used to refer to the Palestinians. One Palestinian man, Ayman Abu Hamadan, told the Associated Press that when he was detained in northern Gaza last year, the only time he was not bound or blindfolded was when he was used by Israeli soldiers as their human shield. Dressed in army fatigues with a camera fixed to his forehead, the 36-year-old was forced into houses in the Gaza Strip to make sure they were clear of bombs and gunmen, he said. When one unit finished with him, he was passed to the next. 'They beat me and told me: 'You have no other option; do this or we'll kill you,'' he said, describing the two and a half weeks he was held last summer by the Israeli military in northern Gaza. One Israeli officer said that orders often came from the top, and at times nearly every platoon used a Palestinian to clear locations. Several Palestinians and soldiers told the AP that Israeli troops are systematically forcing Palestinians to act as human shields in Gaza, sending them into buildings and tunnels to check for explosives or militants. The dangerous practice has become ubiquitous during 19 months of war, they said. The Israeli military has long accused Hamas of using human shields in Gaza. Israeli officials blame the militants for the civilian death toll in its offensive that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians. In a statement to the AP, the military said it also bans otherwise coercing civilians to participate in operations, and 'all such orders are routinely emphasised to the forces'. The AP spoke with seven Palestinians who described being used as shields in Gaza and the occupied West Bank and with two members of Israel's military who said they engaged in the practice, which is prohibited by international law. Rights groups have warned that this has become standard procedure in the war. 'These are not isolated accounts; they point to a systemic failure and a horrifying moral collapse,' said Nadav Weiman, executive director of Breaking the Silence – a whistleblower group of former Israeli soldiers that has collected testimonies about the practice from within the military. Children in #Gaza want to be just that: children#CeasefireNow — UNRWA (@UNRWA) May 24, 2025 'Israel rightly condemns Hamas for using civilians as human shields, but our own soldiers describe doing the very same.' Mr Abu Hamadan said he was detained in August after being separated from his family, and soldiers told him he'd help with a 'special mission'. He was forced, for 17 days, to search houses and inspect every hole in the ground for tunnels, he said. Soldiers stood behind him and, once it was clear, entered the buildings to damage or destroy them, he said. He spent each night bound in a dark room, only to wake up and do it again. Rights groups say Israel has used Palestinians as shields in Gaza and the West Bank for decades. Experts say this war is the first time in decades that the practice – and the debate around it – has been so widespread. The two Israeli soldiers who spoke to the AP – and a third who provided testimony to Breaking the Silence – said commanders were aware of the use of human shields and tolerated it, with some giving orders to do so. Some said it was referred to as the 'mosquito protocol', and that Palestinians were also referred to as 'wasps' and other dehumanising terms. The soldiers – who said they are no longer serving in Gaza – said the practice sped up operations, saved ammunition, and spared combat dogs from injury or death. The soldiers said they first became aware human shields were being used shortly after the war erupted on October 7 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, and that it became widespread by the middle of 2024. Orders to 'bring a mosquito' often came via radio, they said – shorthand everyone understood. Soldiers acted on commanding officers' orders, according to the officer who spoke to the AP. He said that by the end of his nine months in Gaza, every infantry unit used a Palestinian to clear houses before entering. 'Once this idea was initiated, it caught on like fire in a field,' the 26-year-old said. 'People saw how effective and easy it was.' One report documented the accidental killing of a Palestinian, he said – troops did not realise another unit was using him as a shield and shot him as he ran into a house. The officer recommended the Palestinians should be dressed in army clothes to avoid misidentification. He said he knew of at least one other Palestinian who died while he was used as a shield, having passed out in a tunnel.
Leader Live
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Israeli use of Palestinian human shields in Gaza is widespread, detainees say
They claimed the practice has become ubiquitous over 19 months of war. Israel's military responded by saying it prohibits using civilians as shields, a practice it has long accused Hamas of using. Chiefs say they are investigating a handful of cases, but would not provide any details. Seven Palestinians described to The Associated Press being used as shields in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. One said he was beaten, bound and blindfolded. Two Israeli solders also described using human shields, and that derogatory terms like 'mosquito' were used to refer to the Palestinians. One Palestinian man, Ayman Abu Hamadan, told the Associated Press that when he was detained in northern Gaza last year, the only time he was not bound or blindfolded was when he was used by Israeli soldiers as their human shield. Dressed in army fatigues with a camera fixed to his forehead, the 36-year-old was forced into houses in the Gaza Strip to make sure they were clear of bombs and gunmen, he said. When one unit finished with him, he was passed to the next. 'They beat me and told me: 'You have no other option; do this or we'll kill you,'' he said, describing the two and a half weeks he was held last summer by the Israeli military in northern Gaza. One Israeli officer said that orders often came from the top, and at times nearly every platoon used a Palestinian to clear locations. Several Palestinians and soldiers told the AP that Israeli troops are systematically forcing Palestinians to act as human shields in Gaza, sending them into buildings and tunnels to check for explosives or militants. The dangerous practice has become ubiquitous during 19 months of war, they said. The Israeli military has long accused Hamas of using human shields in Gaza. Israeli officials blame the militants for the civilian death toll in its offensive that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians. In a statement to the AP, the military said it also bans otherwise coercing civilians to participate in operations, and 'all such orders are routinely emphasised to the forces'. The AP spoke with seven Palestinians who described being used as shields in Gaza and the occupied West Bank and with two members of Israel's military who said they engaged in the practice, which is prohibited by international law. Rights groups have warned that this has become standard procedure in the war. 'These are not isolated accounts; they point to a systemic failure and a horrifying moral collapse,' said Nadav Weiman, executive director of Breaking the Silence – a whistleblower group of former Israeli soldiers that has collected testimonies about the practice from within the military. Children in #Gaza want to be just that: children#CeasefireNow — UNRWA (@UNRWA) May 24, 2025 'Israel rightly condemns Hamas for using civilians as human shields, but our own soldiers describe doing the very same.' Mr Abu Hamadan said he was detained in August after being separated from his family, and soldiers told him he'd help with a 'special mission'. He was forced, for 17 days, to search houses and inspect every hole in the ground for tunnels, he said. Soldiers stood behind him and, once it was clear, entered the buildings to damage or destroy them, he said. He spent each night bound in a dark room, only to wake up and do it again. Rights groups say Israel has used Palestinians as shields in Gaza and the West Bank for decades. Experts say this war is the first time in decades that the practice – and the debate around it – has been so widespread. The two Israeli soldiers who spoke to the AP – and a third who provided testimony to Breaking the Silence – said commanders were aware of the use of human shields and tolerated it, with some giving orders to do so. Some said it was referred to as the 'mosquito protocol', and that Palestinians were also referred to as 'wasps' and other dehumanising terms. The soldiers – who said they are no longer serving in Gaza – said the practice sped up operations, saved ammunition, and spared combat dogs from injury or death. The soldiers said they first became aware human shields were being used shortly after the war erupted on October 7 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, and that it became widespread by the middle of 2024. Orders to 'bring a mosquito' often came via radio, they said – shorthand everyone understood. Soldiers acted on commanding officers' orders, according to the officer who spoke to the AP. He said that by the end of his nine months in Gaza, every infantry unit used a Palestinian to clear houses before entering. 'Once this idea was initiated, it caught on like fire in a field,' the 26-year-old said. 'People saw how effective and easy it was.' One report documented the accidental killing of a Palestinian, he said – troops did not realise another unit was using him as a shield and shot him as he ran into a house. The officer recommended the Palestinians should be dressed in army clothes to avoid misidentification. He said he knew of at least one other Palestinian who died while he was used as a shield, having passed out in a tunnel.
Powys County Times
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Israeli use of Palestinian human shields in Gaza is widespread, detainees say
Israeli troops are systematically forcing Palestinians to act as human shields in Gaza, sending them into buildings and tunnels to check for bombs and gunmen, Israeli soldiers and former detainees have said. They claimed the practice has become ubiquitous over 19 months of war. Israel's military responded by saying it prohibits using civilians as shields, a practice it has long accused Hamas of using. Chiefs say they are investigating a handful of cases, but would not provide any details. Seven Palestinians described to The Associated Press being used as shields in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. One said he was beaten, bound and blindfolded. Two Israeli solders also described using human shields, and that derogatory terms like 'mosquito' were used to refer to the Palestinians. One Palestinian man, Ayman Abu Hamadan, told the Associated Press that when he was detained in northern Gaza last year, the only time he was not bound or blindfolded was when he was used by Israeli soldiers as their human shield. Dressed in army fatigues with a camera fixed to his forehead, the 36-year-old was forced into houses in the Gaza Strip to make sure they were clear of bombs and gunmen, he said. When one unit finished with him, he was passed to the next. 'They beat me and told me: 'You have no other option; do this or we'll kill you,'' he said, describing the two and a half weeks he was held last summer by the Israeli military in northern Gaza. One Israeli officer said that orders often came from the top, and at times nearly every platoon used a Palestinian to clear locations. Several Palestinians and soldiers told the AP that Israeli troops are systematically forcing Palestinians to act as human shields in Gaza, sending them into buildings and tunnels to check for explosives or militants. The dangerous practice has become ubiquitous during 19 months of war, they said. The Israeli military has long accused Hamas of using human shields in Gaza. Israeli officials blame the militants for the civilian death toll in its offensive that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians. In a statement to the AP, the military said it also bans otherwise coercing civilians to participate in operations, and 'all such orders are routinely emphasised to the forces'. The AP spoke with seven Palestinians who described being used as shields in Gaza and the occupied West Bank and with two members of Israel's military who said they engaged in the practice, which is prohibited by international law. Rights groups have warned that this has become standard procedure in the war. 'These are not isolated accounts; they point to a systemic failure and a horrifying moral collapse,' said Nadav Weiman, executive director of Breaking the Silence – a whistleblower group of former Israeli soldiers that has collected testimonies about the practice from within the military. Children in #Gaza want to be just that: children #CeasefireNow — UNRWA (@UNRWA) May 24, 2025 'Israel rightly condemns Hamas for using civilians as human shields, but our own soldiers describe doing the very same.' Mr Abu Hamadan said he was detained in August after being separated from his family, and soldiers told him he'd help with a 'special mission'. He was forced, for 17 days, to search houses and inspect every hole in the ground for tunnels, he said. Soldiers stood behind him and, once it was clear, entered the buildings to damage or destroy them, he said. He spent each night bound in a dark room, only to wake up and do it again. Rights groups say Israel has used Palestinians as shields in Gaza and the West Bank for decades. Experts say this war is the first time in decades that the practice – and the debate around it – has been so widespread. The two Israeli soldiers who spoke to the AP – and a third who provided testimony to Breaking the Silence – said commanders were aware of the use of human shields and tolerated it, with some giving orders to do so. Some said it was referred to as the 'mosquito protocol', and that Palestinians were also referred to as 'wasps' and other dehumanising terms. The soldiers – who said they are no longer serving in Gaza – said the practice sped up operations, saved ammunition, and spared combat dogs from injury or death. The soldiers said they first became aware human shields were being used shortly after the war erupted on October 7 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, and that it became widespread by the middle of 2024. Orders to 'bring a mosquito' often came via radio, they said – shorthand everyone understood. Soldiers acted on commanding officers' orders, according to the officer who spoke to the AP. He said that by the end of his nine months in Gaza, every infantry unit used a Palestinian to clear houses before entering. 'Once this idea was initiated, it caught on like fire in a field,' the 26-year-old said. 'People saw how effective and easy it was.' One report documented the accidental killing of a Palestinian, he said – troops did not realise another unit was using him as a shield and shot him as he ran into a house. The officer recommended the Palestinians should be dressed in army clothes to avoid misidentification.
News18
12-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Trump's 'Long Night Of Talks' Memes For Virat Kohli, BMC Go Viral Amid India-Pakistan Ceasefire
Last Updated: What began as a formal statement by the US President has quickly turned into a meme-fest, with users coming up with their own "long night of talks" versions US President Donald Trump's 'long night of talks" while announcing the ceasefire between India and Pakistan has sparked a flood of memes and hilarious commentary on social media. What began as a formal statement by the US President has quickly turned into a meme-fest, with users coming up with their own 'long night of talks" versions, with many featuring Trump himself. What Triggered The Memes? It all started on Saturday, May 10, when Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to announce the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. He claimed that the ceasefire was 'mediated by the United States." In his post, Trump said: 'After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence." This statement, which was meant to be a diplomatic message, quickly became meme material, with users on X taking the phrase 'long night of talks" quite literally and giving it their own hilarious take. One popular meme shared by a user humorously says: 'After a long night of talks with BMC, i pleased to announce that they have agreed to open the Andheri Ghokale flyover. Congratulations to the people living in East and West Andheri. Jai Maharashtra!" Thank you sir , Patna Gandhi Setu ka bhi dekh lijiye 🙏😅 @realDonaldTrump #ViratKohli???? #DonaldTrump — Sudhanshu (@ordinarybihari) May 12, 2025 Another user posted a cheeky meme referring to Trump as 'Sardar Donald Singh Trump," for his role in mediating ceasefire between India-Pakistan. They even created an AI-generated image of Trump wearing a turban and sporting a moustache. Thank you @realDonaldTrump #Sarpanch #Trump #IndiaPakistanConflict #CeasefireNow #sardarji #sarpanchsahab — Harpreet singh Bandesha ਹਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਬੰਦੇਸ਼ਾ (@hpsjournalist) May 10, 2025 Then came another meme, referencing Virat Kohli's retirement from Test cricket: 'After a long night of talks with Virattt koolie, I am please to announce that he has announced retirement from test cricket. Fantastic player, I love him so much. By the way i love soochin tendulak but virat was special." Bas yahi baaki tha dekhna 😝 #Trump #ViratKohli — G. Somenath (@shomer_A) May 12, 2025 Other memes took a more personal, relatable turn, like one from a user who wrote: 'Dating apps: What are you looking for? Just someone with common sense & intelligence, I can have a long night of talks with." Dating apps: What are you looking for ?Just someone with common sense & intelligence, I can have a long night of talks with. — Frowzy (@rutvikPandit) May 10, 2025 In another light-hearted take, a user shared: 'After a long night of talks with SEBI and it's most honorable Chairman, Mr Kanta who replaced the previous horrible DEI hire, I am pleased to announce that they have agreed to remove the failed, Enhanced Surveillance Mechanism(ESM) on SME stocks with immediate effect." Meanwhile, one user shared a hilarious reality check: 'After a long night of talks with Main aur Meri Tanhai, I am pleased to announce that I have decided to survive yet another Monday at work." After a long night of talks with Main aur Meri Tanhai, I am pleased to announce that I have decided to survive yet another Monday at work.— Kajal K Iyer (@Kajal_Iyer) May 12, 2025 top videos View all Meanwhile, another more personal take by a user might resonate with those dealing with family pressures: 'After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that my family has decided to stop & have agreed to not bother me to get married. Congratulations to them on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!," the user wrote. First Published:
