Admission by the Zionist Regime's Army of War Crimes in Gaza

TEHRAN (Defapress) - The Hebrew newspaper Haaretz reported that, following several reports regarding the use of civilians in the Gaza Strip as human shields, the Israeli Military Police has formed an investigative committee on the matter.

In the introduction to today's report by this Hebrew media, it was emphasized that at least 6 cases of this crime are currently under investigation by the committee, and this is happening under international pressure. Meanwhile, the International Red Cross has verified and documented at least 9 cases based on testimonies from Gaza residents who were forced to act as human shields for Israeli soldiers, moving ahead of them to detect explosive traps or possible ambushes.

The report stressed that the Israeli Military Police is currently investigating 6 cases in which Israeli soldiers forced Gaza civilians to act as human shields in military operations, risking their lives.

According to Haaretz, this action violates international laws, which led the military prosecution (under international pressure) to order an investigation into the matter.

The Hebrew media admitted that the use of Palestinian civilians during the months of war was common in Israeli army units, and within this framework, Gaza residents who had no connection to the war were forced to carry out military tasks.

Israeli soldiers referred to these individuals as "Shawishim," meaning servants or slaves, and forced them to wear Israeli military uniforms and move ahead of the soldiers to detect explosive traps, ambushes, or snipers, entering dangerous buildings before the soldiers.

Meanwhile, the International Red Cross also reported a significant amount of evidence in this regard.

Another part of the report emphasized that in August of last year, after reports of this crime were published, the Israeli army claimed it was investigating the matter, but these investigations have not been conducted to this day. However, reports and pressure from international organizations in recent months, along with statements from the Biden administration and the British government, have led to renewed scrutiny of the issue.

Additionally, the International Red Cross confirmed that it has verified and documented the testimonies and reports of Palestinian civilians.

Previous reports by Haaretz also revealed that senior field commanders of the Israeli army were aware of this issue and directed this illegal process, which violates the laws of war and the Geneva Conventions, leading to the victimization of these civilians.

According to the International Red Cross report, a copy of which was provided to General Yaron Finkelman, the former commander of the Southern Region, Gaza residents were forced to act as human shields. Some were threatened that if they did not comply, their families would face pressure and harassment. Meanwhile, several Israeli soldiers from ground units confirmed to Haaretz that the Nahal, Givati, and commando forces made the most use of this practice.

In some cases, Palestinian civilians were detained by the Israeli army for periods ranging from one day to a week and were forced to act as human shields during operations. Additionally, they were subjected to physical and psychological abuse and, if they survived, were released and sent to gatherings of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip.

Some of these civilians were also transferred to prisons inside the 1948 territories, although there is no precise data on the number of individuals killed, injured, released, or imprisoned as part of this practice.

Haaretz admitted that the Israeli army's use of "Shawishim" became a priority as the war dragged on and many of the Israeli army's trained dogs were killed. Meanwhile, Israeli combat engineering units, which were supposed to handle bomb disposal, were transferred to the border with Lebanon.

Several Palestinians testified to the Red Cross that Israeli soldiers threatened them, stating that their families would be harmed if they did not cooperate. Throughout their detention by the Israeli army, their hands and eyes were bound, and they were subjected to violence and insults by the soldiers, with no food or water provided.

Israeli soldiers also admitted that at least once, a Palestinian who refused to enter a building suspected of being booby-trapped was shot in the back by them.

All these actions were carried out with the knowledge and awareness of senior Israeli military officials, including the Chief of Staff, the Southern Command commander, and even the Israeli Military Prosecutor's Office.