Palestinian ‘human shield’ in Gaza for IDF troops shot dead in error by officer – report

A Palestinian who was assisting Israeli forces in searching potentially booby-trapped buildings and tunnels in the Gaza Strip over the summer was shot dead by an officer, according to a report by online magazine, Hamakom Hachi Ham Bagehenom (The Hottest Place in Hell).

According to the report, the Palestinian was serving as a human shield for the Nahal Brigade’s 931st Battalion, when the unit was deployed to the Rafah area in August.

The Palestinian would be sent to search buildings and tunnels before troops did, a practice that has been reportedly commonplace in the IDF during the war in Gaza. The IDF has not denied that the practice has been carried out, but says that such conduct is prohibited.

Hamakom says the Palestinian was also allowed to reside alongside the Nahal troops inside a building.

A commander in the battalion who entered the building spotted the man and opened fire on him, without knowing he was cooperating with the military, the report says.

The IDF Spokespersons Unit confirms the incident to Hamakom, saying that “the case was investigated by the brigade commander. The lessons of the investigation have been implemented into the forces’ activities.”