Israeli soldier admits IDF used Palestinians as human shields

In recent months, the situation in Gaza has escalated dramatically, following the abandonment of a ceasefire by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on March 17. Subsequent military operations have resulted in significant destruction and loss of life, with the Hamas-run Health Ministry reporting over 50,000 deaths in Gaza during this period. Amidst the bombardment, an Israeli soldier, Tommy, who engaged in these military operations, revealed concerning tactics employed by the IDF. He recounted that his commander ordered the use of Palestinian civilians to search buildings for explosives instead of deploying trained dogs. This practice, referred to as the 'mosquito protocol,' reportedly forced terrified individuals to check for booby traps, placing them at severe risk of harm. Despite voicing objections to this directive within his unit, Tommy stated they were compelled to follow these orders, highlighting a troubling policy within the military framework. The organization Breaking the Silence, composed of Israeli military veterans, claims that this protocol has been confirmed by numerous whistleblowers, establishing it as a widespread practice in Gaza. In tandem with these revelations, the ongoing military campaign has seen Israeli forces carrying out operations in the occupied West Bank, displacing tens of thousands of people and retaining a narrative of targeting Hamas militants while criticizing civilian deaths. These developments raise significant moral questions and international concerns about human rights violations in conflict zones, particularly regarding the treatment of civilians during military operations. As calls for an independent investigation grow louder, the Israeli military has maintained it prohibits the use of human shields but states it requires additional information to investigate individual claims.