The United States gathered intelligence last year suggesting that Israeli officials discussed using Palestinian civilians as human shields during operations in Gaza, according to two former U.S. officials familiar with the matter.
The intelligence, collected in the final weeks of President Joe Biden’s administration, reportedly detailed instances in which Israeli soldiers allegedly sent Palestinians into tunnels they suspected were rigged with explosives.
The information was analyzed by the U.S. intelligence community and shared with the White House, the sources said.
Under international law, the use of civilians as human shields is strictly prohibited. The revelation adds to growing scrutiny over Israel’s conduct in Gaza amid one of the most destructive military campaigns in the region’s history.
The officials said the intelligence raised internal debates within the Biden administration about whether the reported actions reflected isolated incidents or broader military directives.
It was unclear, they added, whether the Palestinians referenced in the intelligence were detainees or civilians.
Reuters could not determine whether the Biden administration formally discussed the findings with the Israeli government. The White House, CIA, and former administration officials did not respond to requests for comment.
In response to inquiries, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it “prohibits the use of civilians as human shields or coercing them in any way to participate in military operations.”
The IDF added that its Military Police Criminal Investigation Division is probing “suspicions involving Palestinians in military missions.”
The intelligence reports surfaced alongside other information indicating internal Israeli debates over military conduct in Gaza.
Last week, Reuters reported that Israeli government lawyers had warned senior officials that some evidence could support potential war crimes charges related to the Gaza offensive, an allegation Israel has denied.
The U.S. officials said the intelligence about the use of civilians as shields deepened concerns among some senior figures who feared Washington could become complicit if Israel were found to have violated international law.
A war crimes determination could have compelled the U.S. to halt both military aid and intelligence sharing with Israel.
However, lawyers from several U.S. agencies ultimately concluded that the available evidence did not prove Israel had committed war crimes and permitted continued support to the IDF.
Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages during the October 7, 2023, attacks, according to Israeli figures.
In response, Israel launched a sweeping military campaign that has killed nearly 69,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials.
Both Israel and Hamas have been accused of using civilians as shields during the conflict, allegations each side denies.
The new revelations highlight the persistent tension between Washington’s support for Israel and its obligations under international humanitarian law as the war in Gaza continues to draw global condemnation.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
