Israeli military used Palestinians as human shields in Gaza, says IDF soldier

The Israeli military has faced allegations of using Palestinians as human shields in Gaza, specifically through a practice known as the "mosquito protocol," according to the CNN report.

According to testimonies from an IDF soldier and five former Palestinian detainees, this tactic involves forcing Palestinians to enter potentially booby-trapped houses and tunnels to protect Israeli troops.

The soldier's account reveals that his unit initially followed standard procedures but later used Palestinian prisoners, including a 16-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man, as human shields.

The commander allegedly justified this by saying, "It's better that the Palestinian will explode and not our soldiers." Despite initial refusal, the practice reportedly resumed within the unit .

Palestinian detainees have shared similar experiences. Mohammad Saad, 20, described being forced to wear a military uniform and perform reconnaissance tasks, while Mohammad Shbeir, 17, recalled being used as a human shield after Israeli forces killed his family members.

It's essential to note that human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and B'Tselem, have documented Israel's use of Palestinians as human shields in various conflicts.

The practice has been condemned by these organizations and others, citing the risk of harm to civilians.