Palestinian human rights activists have said that using citizens as human shields to protect the homes of suspected militants is wrong, but added that Gazans are simply protecting each other and their houses because they believe no one else will.The comments came after the U.S.-based watchdog, Human Rights Watch (HRW), issued a statement on Wednesday, condemning Palestinian armed factions for encouraging civilians to gather in and around suspected militants' homes targeted by the Israeli military.
HRW said calling civilians to a location that has been identified for an attack is at worst human shielding and at best failing to take all feasible precautions to protect civilians from the effects of an attack. Both are violations of international humanitarian law, the group said.
HRW said calling civilians to a location that has been identified for an attack is at worst human shielding and at best failing to take all feasible precautions to protect civilians from the effects of an attack. Both are violations of international humanitarian law, the group said.
Photo by Yousef Alhelou
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