US Officials Confirm Israeli Officials Discussed Using Human Shields in Gaza

US Knew Israeli Officials Discussed Use of Human Shields in Gaza: Report The United States had evidence last year that Israeli officials discussed sending Palestinians into tunnels in Gaza that the Israelis believed were potentially lined with explosives, two former US officials have revealed to Reuters. This information was shared with the White House and analyzed by the intelligence community in the final weeks of former President Joe Biden's administration. According to sources, the discussions took place in 2024, with the photo provided by Breaking the Silence, a whistleblower group of former Israeli soldiers, showing two soldiers behind Palestinian detainees being sent into a Gaza City house to clear it. The US officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that the intelligence was gathered from various sources, including Israeli military communications. The revelation has sparked immediate concern, with human rights groups and international organizations calling for an investigation into the alleged use of human shields. The US State Department has yet to comment on the matter, but a spokesperson for the Biden administration stated that they are "looking into the situation." The use of human shields is prohibited under international law, which explicitly states that civilians cannot be used to protect military personnel or equipment from attack. The practice has been widely condemned by the international community, with many countries calling for Israel to adhere to humanitarian laws. Breaking the Silence, the whistleblower group that provided the photo, has been a vocal critic of Israel's military actions in Gaza. The group's founder, Yuli Novak, stated that the use of human shields is a "clear war crime" and that Israel's actions in Gaza have caused "untold suffering" to Palestinian civilians. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community is watching closely for a response from the US and Israel. The US has a long-standing commitment to upholding humanitarian law and protecting civilians in conflict zones. It remains to be seen how the Biden administration will address this situation and whether any action will be taken against Israel.