Hamas Using Child as Human Shield, Video Shows
Disturbing footage released by the IDF appears to capture a Hamas fighter using a young boy to transport weapons into a Gaza home.
Disturbing video appears to show a Hamas fighter using a young child as a human shield to transfer weapons into a civilian home in Gaza, during Israeli operations in the territory. The aerial footage, shared by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), aims to illustrate the methods employed by the Palestinian terror group to deter Israeli strikes.
The clip shows a young boy struggling under the weight of a large rifle, at one point staggering as he is directed down a street by a suspected militant.
The video was reportedly filmed during Israeli operations in central Gaza on Sunday. "The terrorist exploited the child, using him as a human shield to transfer the weapons, in an attempt to prevent the IDF from striking and thwarting their transfer," the IDF stated. The IDF added that they refrained from carrying out strikes upon identifying the child's presence.
The IDF described the incident as another instance of "systematic exploitation of children by terrorist organizations for terrorist purposes, in violation of international law." The IDF has consistently maintained that Hamas uses Gaza's civilian population, including children, as human shields, and places military assets near populated areas and civilian infrastructure.
Hamas has denied these accusations, stating that due to Gaza's high population density, military activities occur near populated areas. The group also asserts that the responsibility for protecting civilians and children rests with Israel as the occupying power of the Gaza Strip.