'Anyone who hesitated was shot': Gazans say they were forced to act as human shields for Israeli soldiers

Former captive recounts being coerced into checking booby-trapped buildings - receiving food if he complied

Talal Al Zaanin says he was shot in the arm and shoulder by Israeli troops shortly after being released. Mohammed Abo Doon for The National

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Talal Al Zaanin said he was plucked from a displacement shelter in Gaza, detained for 12 days and coerced into protecting Israeli soldiers by inspecting buildings potentially rigged with explosives.

He had an injured leg and after 10 days he was discarded by his captors, who physically assaulted him, he told The National.

“They constantly insulted us and put us in harm’s way," said Mr Al Zaanin, 54. "They sent us into areas they suspected were strapped with explosives, while they remained at a safe distance. Anyone who hesitated was immediately shot."

He was shot at after being released. “As I limped along carrying a white flag, I encountered tanks," he explained. "Before I could go far, they opened fire. Several bullets struck my arm and shoulder.”

He is not alone in alleging he was used as a human shield to protect Israeli troops in Gaza, where a fragile ceasefire has halted 15 months of gruelling war across the Palestinian enclave. Rights groups have documented dozens of similar cases since the conflict broke out in October 2023.

An investigation by Israeli newspaper Haaretz alleged there has been a pattern of civilians being used as human shields in the enclave. An Israeli military commander shot and killed a Palestinian in the southern city of Rafah who was forced to search buildings, it reported.

Mr Al Zaanin said he was detained on Christmas Day at a displacement camp at Beit Hanoun, in north-east Gaza. Other men faced the same fate, he added.

“They ordered us to inspect houses and photograph them," he said. "In return, they provided food and water – but only if we followed their commands."

Gaza has been devastated by Israeli bombardments. Reuters

He was stripped of his clothes before being released and was left without medical help despite his injuries. Soldiers ordered him to head south for Gaza city. He eventually reached safety when a group of young men took him to a medical centre, he said.

Mahmoud Al Masri, from the northern city of Beit Lahia, told The National his son Ahmad, 38, went missing after he was detained by Israeli soldiers in early December. The family was told that he too had been used as a human shield. His family have heard nothing from him, despite the ceasefire taking effect last weekend and many Gazans beginning to return to their homes.

“We were at a civil administration checkpoint when my sons and I were taken for inspection," Mr Al Masri said. "After several hours they released us, but Ahmad remained detained.”

People in Zayed City reported seeing Ahmad wearing an orange vest, holding a microphone and calling on residents to leave their homes, Mr Al Masri added.

"They said he was being sent into houses to order people to leave and to inspect the buildings for occupants," he said. “Since then, we’ve had no news. We don’t know if he’s still alive, detained, or being used as a human shield ... we’ve heard stories of detainees being killed once they’ve served their purpose.”

The National contacted the Israeli military to ask about Mr Al Zaanin and Mr Al Masri and was told the army could not offer any information without their identification numbers. Mr Al Zaanin and the family of Mr Al Masri did not disclose that information.

Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, which has its headquarters in Geneva, said it documented numerous cases of Palestinians being used as human shields, which it said amounted to war crimes.

“These actions reflect brutal and inhumane behaviour by the Israeli army, constituting grave violations,” said Muhammad Shehada, chief of communications at Euro-Med. "Such incidents demand urgent intervention from the international justice system to protect civilians and hold those responsible accountable."

The Israeli military has "a long-standing history of reluctance to investigate allegations of misconduct", he added.

Mr Shehada said that, during the Second Intifada, a Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation that began in 2000, soldiers confessed to their commanders of committing war crimes, including using civilians as human shields and firing at homes indiscriminately.

"Despite these confessions, the [Israeli military] failed to launch investigations or hold the perpetrators accountable, allowing them to walk free without even opening a case,” he said. “This inability, or unwillingness, to investigate is a major reason why the IDF operates with such impunity."